Adapted by
Ridley Scott from Peter Mayle’s novel, this is a surprisingly low-key drama.
Russell Crowe stars as Max, a
London-based trader who inherits his uncle’s home and vineyard in Provence. He travels to the estate, which he plans to sell, but slowly becomes absorbed into a simpler, quieter way of life and falls for a local (Marion Cotillard).
Albert Finney plays Uncle Henry, who we only get to meet in flashback, and
Abbie Cornish plays the young Californian visitor who may or may not be his daughter.
It’s appealing escapism, but ultimately it’s light, forgettable fluff. The scenic locations look nice and there’s a lot of wine. But the wine sub-plot isn’t satisfyingly explained: was the lousy produce being used to jinx the sale of the estate or was it intended to obscure their better wines as part of a shady business trick?
An enjoyable enough two hours, it only works because Crowe is so charismatic and magnetic.
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