I see London, I see France---

"A Good Year" begins a few "vintages" ago with the boy Max (Freddie Highmore) enjoying his life with Uncle Henry (Alfred Finney), and learning the fine points of producing fine wines as well as other important aspects of life. Max defeats Henry at a game of chess, and the scene abruptly shifts to the adult Max (Russell Crowe) holding forth in his brokerage firm in London as he directs his "lab rats" into a bold investment move with exquisite timing that nets the firm a profit of $77 million---or maybe it was pounds sterling.

Max receives notice that Uncle Henry, whom he hasn't seen in decades, has died without a will, and that as his closest living relative he will inherit the old winery, La Siroque, in Provence where he spent his childhood with Uncle Henry. Max reluctantly follows the advice of his realtor friend, Charles (Tom Hollander), to travel to Provence for the first time in decades to sell the property for a few million dollars---or maybe it was francs.

But the winery is run down and in need of repairs, and the beautiful surroundings elicit nostalgic memories of his childhood (told in flashbacks) and his unexpressed love for Uncle Henry. In the beginning Max is as mean and insensitive here as he was in London, running a female cyclist off the road, and shouting insults at another group of cyclists getting in his way on the road.

But of course the female cyclist turns out to be the romantic interest, Fanny (Marion Cotillard), the owner of a French bistro. Max dines there, and on a busy night when she is overwhelmed he offers to help. She says "OK. But remember, if you get any complaints, the customer is ALWAYS wrong!"

The plot thickens when a young American woman, Christie (Abbie Cornish) appears on the scene searching for her father, whom she believes to be Max's Uncle Henry. If her claim can be proven she will be the rightful heir to La Siroque.

Max initially sets about to make sure that Christie's claim will not be proven and works on a quick sale to unload La Siroque for $5 Million----or maybe francs. But he begins to develop some affection for Christie and her innocent desire to learn something about her father.

Max receives daily phone calls from his assistant in London, a bit part that was for me the most charming of many charming characters in this altogether charming story, reminding me in every scene of Audrey Hepburn! She takes care of EVERYTHING, and tells Max where and when he needs to be to keep his business and his winery caper on track.

It all plays out in plausible, pleasant, and predictable fashion, with the great scenery of Provence and a wonderful soundtrack of French and American pop music from the fifties as backgrounds for a simple story.

Directed by Ridley Scott, the movie is a vast departure from their earlier collaboration in "Gladiator," or Ripley's successes in "Hannibal," "Black Hawk Down," and "Kingdom of Heaven." Russell Crowe begins in standard tough and insensitive mode, but progresses into a degree of charming and lovable---a tough transition for Mr. Crowe---but it worked for me!

The screenplay by Marc Klein is based on the novel by Peter Mayle, and the dialogue is sharp and amusing, the characters interesting and believable, with a few interesting and unexpected plot twists. A feel-good movie with wit and charm!