So many years went under the bridge. Review on A Good Year Movie

Sometimes even predictability works wonders for a story. In real life, very few would not want the outcome of their efforts to be predictable. Isn't it?

The last time Russel Crowe and the director Ridley Scott came together was in Gladiator. That was one power-packed movie. So if you start comparing, then this one is very different. I would still term it as impressive on many counts.

Russel Crowe(called as Max) is a stockbroker in London. He has mastered the art of projecting the volatility of the stock market and then manipulating it to his advantage. Things get topsy-turvy when he gets to know that his uncle Henry(played very well by Albert Finney) has passed away in France.

Max has to make one quick trip to France to resolve some property matters belonging to his uncle. Little does he know that the life will never be the same again and that he will begin seeing life from a very different perspective. Little does he also know that the beauty of French countryside, the gorgeousness of French damsels and the sylvan landscapes would hold him captive for a longer time than he anticipates. The combined effect of all these would assuage his over-burdened nerves and wake him up from his trance.

We also get to understand that Max is not only a ruthless stockbroker but also a warm person. He reminisces on times that he spent growing up with his uncle. His memories are sweet and interspersed with innocence and emotions. His uncle used to season his own wine. Max recalls all the lessons in life that he has learnt by just watching the man he so admired.

Max meets a rather scornful yet a sweet neighbor who has known Max's uncle for long. He has a very poor opinion of Max and worries that he would come and sell away all the property; something which his uncle would have never wanted to if he was still alive. His worst fears come true when Max tells him that he has inked the deal already. These are some of the most classic shots of the movie besides the ones between the uncle and the kid Max.

Max also meets another claimant for his uncle's property. Max realizes(and so do many others) that the wine being produced now, is far from being smooth. Little does he know that brewing wine can be a very rewarding experience and a very enriching hobby.

No story is complete for many people unless there is romance in it. And there is plenty of it in this one too. Although I have given very little details, you can still predict the storyline now. If you do, I'd still urge you to see this movie.

Going by the number of beautiful and gorgeous women Max ran into in this movie, I too have made up my mind to pay a visit to French countryside someday.

The photography of French countryside with pictures of lush and tender vineyards is truly captivating. The hazy hues on the canvas render a charming facade to the whole scenery in which the movie is shot.

Russel Crowe excels in his role, closely followed by everyone else. The movie progresses at a leisurely pace and hence does not need you to think too intellectually. It also does not tax you with  any twisted plots. In fact what works well for the movie is its predictability and its seemingly laid-back pace. A movie which is trying to give you a message should do so without too much fanfare. Right?

The movie makes you realize how and why you should appreciate finer aspects in life. It tell you that one fine day, fate can and will bring you face to face with some situation where you get a chance to reflect on how much life has slipped away from you. You realize that you have to learn to relax and learn to spend time on yourself.

The aspect of doing something to completion is not the only important point. It is also about enjoying the transit. The very speed kills half of the pleasure of these sweet little nothings in life. *

Realize that so many years have gone under the bridge without us noticing that.*

I cannot say about you but I need to learn to first listen to the music before the song gets over. I need to learn to enjoy the vintage wine.

I need to learn to enjoy one good yearin my life, to begin with.