Ein gutes Jahr

Ein kleiner und bescheidener Film. Im Rahmen der Erfüllung von seinen Zielen ist es aber eines der besten Werke in der Filmografie von Ridley Scott. An Ein gutes Jahr kann man nichts kritisieren. Der Film beschönigt nichts, er ist angenehm und positiv, das Schauspielpotenzial und das Charisma von Russell Crowe nutzt er zu 100 %. Die Poetik des Milieus (die Kamerafilter, die Musik) wird einzigartig durch die Geschichte ergänzt, die in einem kleinen Rahmen erzählt wird. Plus der gefühlvolle und intelligente Humor. (17.01.2007)

The most undrinkable wine in Provence, a sharpened relationship between the English and the French, cinematic "frames" that could be framed instantly, all the genre clichés piled so high it's enjoyable, sympathetic banter, a nice pace, a reformed cynic and the blue eyes of one of the most beautiful angels France has right now. Ridley Scott is a true English gentleman... (24.09.2008)

It's a wine-swilling fairy tale for adults, which can reliably lift the mood of even a moron like me. And thanks to Marion Cotillard's sensuality, I wouldn't be surprised if some people's spirits were lifted by something other than mood. (12.10.2010)

Movies about reevaluating one's current life, finding the right place to exist, and true friends have always had their doors open for me, and when Ridley Scott directs his personal emotional masterpiece and Russel Crowe plays his wanderings in Provence with feelings like never before, it's decided. A human and heartwarming success in the truest sense of the word. (01.03.2007)

I didn’t expect that A Good Year would captivate me so. I’m not too keen on wine and Russell Crowe (despite being an outstanding actor) isn’t one of my favorites. Nevertheless, it happened. Probably it was the allure of charming France, beautiful women and beautiful landscapes. Provence is just enchanting. And Ridley Scott takes advantage of it. Memories of childhood and nostalgia are almost tangible in every shot. In my opinion, collaboration between Ridley and Russell worked out even better than in Gladiator. (15.09.2007)

Except for a few camera flights and typically chosen filters, it is not apparent that this little piece was directed by visual wizard Ridley Scott. What is even more surprising is that no matter what we focus on, everything in this film works fantastically. Scott delivers an easygoing, light, and incredibly charming escapade that will please not only lovers of the French countryside, warm summer evenings, candlelit dinners, or devoted winemakers. It’s a simple story with a worn-out message, but it’s presented with such a dose of nostalgia, naturalness, and lightness that it's hard to believe. It really works even without lavish visuals. The dialogues are excellent and many scenes are literally like a fairy tale, aided by the beautiful and meticulously crafted setting. Scott pays attention to every little detail, especially when it comes to the background (for example, the scene with Russel Crowe sitting by the pool reading a letter, with light fluff and dust swirling around him). Truly a heartfelt film, flawless as an escapade. Sufficiently light and playful for entertainment, yet also sufficiently intelligent and passionate not to offend with its simplicity. (12.10.2006)

Ein echter Balsam für eine betrübte Seele (wurde heute mit Erfolg getestet). Am besten haben mir der Humor und die Tatsache gefallen, dass es in der Geschichte eigentlich keine ausgesprochen negative Figur gibt (ich habe gedacht, dass im Film ein habgieriger Winzer auftauchen wird, dessen Ziel es ist, den Haupthelden zu betrügen). Schön. Und was die weiblichen Figuren betrifft: Die sympathische Archie Panjabi hat mir genauso gut wie Marion Cotillard gefallen (oder vielleicht noch ein bisschen besser). Ein wunderschöner Soundtrack (vor allem der Lieder-Soundtrack). (25.05.2013)

This is how you recongnise a good director. Scott has shown us here (and not for the first time) that he has no problem shifting from blockbuster budgets and earnings, big historical themes and megalomaniacal quests to smaller stories about real people, who admittedly have somewhat unusual moments, but we still can fully believe them. A Good Year is very a human story that caresses the soul with its easygoing, sometimes even salubrious atmosphere of sunny vineyards, refined British humour and above all Russell Crowe's acting, which is no worse than in Gladiator or A Beautiful Mind. Story-wise, it’s nothing extraordinary, it’s just wading the waters of the hackneyed theme of moral redemption by the influence of a beautiful setting full of even more beautiful memories, but what I appreciate all the more is the work of Scott, who once again managed to squeeze every last drop of both Crowe's performance and, this time, all the ripe wine out of a slightly rotting and almost empty warehouse. 85% (22.07.2014)

The title of the movie promised a glimpse into the history of a world-famous tire manufacturing company. Oddly enough, it turned out to be a completely different film. The unwelcoming factory halls were replaced by the sunny Province, and the smell of rubber was more than made up for by the smell of wine. I’m not exactly a fan of Russell Crowe. There was something peculiar about this movie, though. It was set in France which I don't like, the lead role was played by an actor I don't like, the pace of the story wasn't exactly frenzied, romance wasn’t in short supply, but despite all this, the film made me feel good, and that's what counts. Admittedly, it wasn't a masterpiece, it was very soon clear how it was all going to turn out, the plot was a bit too naive at times and the main character's transformation was a little too smooth, but it still had its charm laced with nostalgia and I quite enjoyed watching it. / Lesson learned: If you cause an accident, call for help or make sure no one talks... (07.08.2022)

Now I'm going to repeat myself a little, but it's necessary. I don't like Ridley Scott and I try to avoid his films, even though I know I have to watch them at some point. However, I was still looking forward to "A Good Year". Mainly because of two factors. It's a film about wine and it also stars Russell Crowe. I never sought him out either, but I had to completely change my opinion. "A Good Year" once again showed me what a great actor he is. Ridley Scott showed me that from time to time he really makes something worth watching. "A Good Year" is not as much about wine as I expected, but I simply fell in love with the way the film was made, which is more French than American or English. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/02/dobry-rocnik-2006-80.html (09.04.2013)

Scott's contribution to this film is undeniable. His directorial skill is stands out above all in his ease and ability to make the minimum the maximum. The intoxication of those gorgeous vineyards in Provence stayed with me for a long time after the first viewing. Brilliant stuff! (22.08.2009)