by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
B Rated PG-13 118 min
Esteemed filmmaker Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe have made a number of acclaimed pictures together. Scott said in a recent interview that he and Crowe have had their creative differences, but he respects Crowe as an actor and will work with him on any worthwhile project. And so, for Crowe’s redemption back to leading man status, Scott hired him for this romantic story of a British investment broker who inherits a vineyard in Province, France. It was a mutual admiration for each other that brought Crowe and Scott together for this shoot. If the truth be known, it was probably more like a holiday in a beautiful location.
The hook of the premise is Max Skinner’s (Crowe) epiphany when he discovers that there are more important things in life than making money–like true love and a more gentile lifestyle at a vineyard mansion in the South of France. The first part of the film is developing Max’s character as a money grubbing swine who manipulates the market to make big scores, back-stabs his colleagues, and is generally a first class SOB. Indeed, Crowe knows that character well and plays it with perverse delight.
One day, Max gets a registered letter and discovers that his Uncle Henry (Albert Finney) has died, and since he had no will, the vineyard and mansion goes to his nearest relative, Max. At first, Max is annoyed that he will have to travel there to take over ownership. His first instinct is to sell the place. His heart and soul is in London making obscene amounts of money. So, begrudgingly he travels to Province, France to survey the property and get an assessment of its worth. But when he gets there, he starts remembering his joyous summers with his Uncle Henry, who taught him about wine and many other important life lessons.
Soon, a young woman, Christie (Abbie Cornish) shows up at the mansion from Napa Valley, California, claiming to be Henry’s illegitimate daughter and Max’s cousin. French law states that she could contest the inheritance if she can prove she is Henry’s daughter. But, Max is not worried, and treats the girl well and with respect. While driving his tiny Euro Car, he runs the bicycling Fanny (Marion Cotillara) off the road. Later, he sees her while he is in a humiliating situation trapped in an empty pool. Of course, Fanny will become Max’s love interest as he reminisces in flashback about his happy childhood memories of his time with Uncle Henry.
Max pursues Fanny in the nearby town. He finds her as the owner of a restaurant and bitter about failed relationships. She rebuffs his romantic overtures, but one day she finally relents and they go out on a date. Ah yes, Max is in love for the first time in his life, and he decides to stay at the mansion longer than he had planned. But, he still plans to sell the property.
In this relaxing setting, viewers see Max slowly change as he remembers more of his childhood time with Uncle Henry. He realizes that he loved Henry like a father and Henry had a big influence on his life. He had just repressed the memories when he made money his god. Crowe plays this personality transition skillfully given the lightweight material he was given. He takes on the persona of a French winemaker and country gentleman.
Back at his brokerage firm, the place is falling apart without his market genius. His Indian assistant, Gemma (Archie Punjabi) tells him the truth whether he wants to hear it or not. Punjabi steals her scenes as the quick witted bright young woman who works well with Max as his alter ego, conscience, and foil, simultaneously. Still, Max continues with the sale fo the property. By now, he’s getting closer to Fanny and she’s softening up to his come-ons. As more memories of his time with Uncle Henry flood his mind, he is reconsidering the sale of the property, but it’s too late–or is it?
Yes, love conquers all in this romantic fantasy of a man facing his demons and overcoming his lust for money. It’s a gradual process, which is predictable, but a pleasant romp at the cinema nonetheless. Crowe is back with a vengeance thanks to his friend Ridley Scott.
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