Good Stuff

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I read an earlybird "review" two or three months ago that said Ridley Scott's A Good Year (20th Century Fox, 11.10) was a little too mild and unassertive for its own good. The writer was somewhat persuasive because ever since I've been referring to this film in my column jottings as "Ridley Lite."

Well, back up on that. A Good Year, which had its first press screening this morning at 9 ayem, is a lightweight film, all right, and, okay, more than a little formulaic from the get-go...but it goes down so easily and smartly, and after the first 35 or 40 minutes or so the mood of it begins to sink in like expensive French skin cream, and the result is a kind of airy, nectary enchantment that is relatively rare in mainstream cinema these days.

And I swear on my kids that Russell Crowe, the fuming, flying-phone-man of legend, is 50% of the cause of all this sweet, mellow charm. The other 50% contributor is Scott, of course. And let's give some credit, also, to the late Harry Nilsson, whose songs turn up on the soundtrack three times. ("Gotta Get Up", one my favorites, is one of them.)

And let's offer a toast, also, to the cinematography, the French sun, the vineyards, the aroma, the taste of it, the beautiful women...the whole succulent package. This, to me, is first-class escapism.

The Good Year press conference is about to begin (I'm typing this from the press room at teh Sutton Place hotel) so I'll continue this piece later on this afternoon ....probably.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 9, 2006 at 8:31 AM

comment #1

Noah says ...

If this were directed by anybody else, Jeff would be trashing it...

Posted by Noah at September 9, 2006 10:24 AM

comment #2

actionman says ...

Noah, you're probably right...but that's because Ridley Scott CONSTANTLY turns out first rate, aboslutley stunning looking entertainment in any genre that he works in. I for one am glad he's trying something different...and just wait, he's following this one up with AMERICAN GANGSTER with Denzel and Crowe and a slew of others and doing something he's never done yet again--a gritty, period action film. The guy is a genius, has been for years, and is so underrated it's almost a joke. The fact that he did not win Best Director for Black Hawk Down, not to mention Gladiator, is just fucking laughable. And Tony ain't so bad either.

Posted by actionman at September 9, 2006 10:37 AM

comment #3

Noah says ...

Gladiator was the most overrated film ever...it was like WWE, except in period clothing. Watch Russell Crowe fight a tiger! Black Hawk Down is technically a wonderful film, but there's no emotion there. Hannibal was awful. GI Jane was worse. White Squall was nearly unwatchable. I quite liked Matchstick Men and will give Kingdom of Heaven the benefit of the doubt. And don't get me started on Thelma and Louise and 1492. The guy is wonderful at showing scope and is a master craftsman, but he doesn't know how to get a good performance out of anyone other than Crowe. But, my original point was that if this film was directed by Peter Jackson and it was the exact same film, Wells would be calling it sappy, overlong, too much CGI, etc.

Posted by Noah at September 9, 2006 10:59 AM

comment #4

Tedward says ...

Noah, I can only assume from your comments that you've seen the film. Your comments about how this film should be reviewed sound so self assured, and confident.
Tell us please...what did you think of it?

Posted by Tedward at September 9, 2006 2:36 PM

comment #5

p.Vice says ...

Why does this "review" not surprise me? This movie looks exactly like the kind of soft-pedalled, artistically bankrupt studio fluff that Jeff laps up every chance he gets. Hey, if it doesn't challenge you or make you think, what's not to like?

Posted by p.Vice at September 9, 2006 2:57 PM

comment #6

p.Vice says ...

To wit, here are some choice quotes from the Hollywood Reporter review. If one of their softies doesn't like it, you know you're in for it:

"It's always commendable for talented artists to flex different muscles and try new things. But from the looks of this movie, comedy is the forte of neither man. You sense in every frame the strain to be lighthearted. Consequently, "A Good Year" is at times downright clumsy. You know what the filmmakers are trying to achieve and see the labor going into the attempt, but for them to fall so short is unsettling."

Or how about:

"Then there's the film's sense of humor or lack thereof. Gags about a dog peeing on legs and American tourists complaining menus are written in French are too tired for words. An endless slapstick sequence of Crowe struggling to extricate himself from a deep though empty swimming pool is embarrassingly bad."

And:

"London sequences are shot and edited in a jumpy, frantic manner to mirror Max's go-go-go lifestyle. Yet when Max returns to France, Scott doesn't let the movie relax and absorb the scenery. Instead Max's rental car spins in circles looking for directions, a dog nips at his heels, cell phones ring constantly, a tennis match turns into war and Max renovates the chateau in one frenzied weekend. Even the picturesque hill village of Menerbes, which in reality is tranquil even at the height of the tourist season, is jammed with noisy extras by Scott to make it look like a circus."

Posted by p.Vice at September 9, 2006 3:03 PM

comment #7

MAGGA says ...

Well American tourists complaining that menus are french in France may be tired on film, but it happens every damn time you go for a meal in the summer, so it mst be irresistable to poke fun at. Anyway, Jeff convinced me to watch In Her Shoes, and I am thankful, so I will give another lightweight film a go thanks to his reccomending it, despite the trailer looking dull as all hell

Posted by MAGGA at September 9, 2006 3:27 PM

comment #8

FilmTurtle says ...

Well, whatever, the film may or may not be a first-rate bit of escapist fluff. But I'm not surprised that so much of the charm Jeffrey picked up on came from Crowe; in one of his earliest films, "The Sum of Us," he is all smiles and charisma and sweet, lunky, regular guy-ness. It's an entirely winning performance in a rather lightweight fantasy-romance trifle.

Posted by FilmTurtle at September 9, 2006 4:55 PM

comment #9

Nick29 says ...

fuck all, ya'all,,,say thr words Ridley Scott and I'm there. Kingdom Of Heaven's DC is amazing and that man diserves his Oscar. Its just a matter of what and when, I'm game for lightweight Ridley, cause I assure you its better than lightweight anyone, peroid.

Posted by Nick29 at September 9, 2006 10:41 PM

comment #10