Catherine Vinatier Movies
Gladiator duo Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe re-team for this adaptation of author Peter Mayle's best-selling novel about a London-based investment banker who relocates to Provence in hopes of selling a small vineyard he has inherited from his recently deceased uncle. As a child, Max Skinner (Freddie Highmore) was taught to appreciate the finer things in life while wandering the vineyard estate of his sophisticated uncle Henry (Albert Finney). Life has a strange way or turning out how you least expect it to though, and 25 years later, Max (Russell Crowe) is now a prosperous moneyman wheeling and dealing in the cutthroat world of London business. When Max learns that Henry has recently passed away and that he has been named the sole beneficiary of his late uncle's modest estate, the keen businessman hastily arranges a flight to France in order to assess the value of the old property and get it prepped for sale. After Max arrives to find the vineyard in a crumbling state of disrepair, his troubles are further compounded by the stubbornness of gruff estate winemaker M. Duflot (Didier Bourdon) and the unexpected arrival of a determined California beauty named Christie (Abbie Cornish), who presents herself as a long-lost cousin while making a dubious claim to Henry's estate. Meanwhile, the overstressed Max reluctantly finds himself falling for local café owner and town siren Fanny (Marion Cotillard), whose formidable guard is quickly worn down by the smitten beneficiary. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, (more)
- 2001
A boy in his early teens develops a crush on a grown woman old enough to be his mother, only to discover she is also attracted to him, in this controversial drama from France. Marion (Emmanuelle Bercot) is a headstrong and free-spirited woman in her early thirties who heads to the seacoast for a short vacation that coincides with the 13th birthday of her godson Benoit (Kevin Goffette). Benoit and his friends are just old enough to be enthralled with any conversation involving sex, and Marion humors them by joining in their talks on the beach about the mysteries of women. Marion soon gets to know one of Benoit's friends, Clement (Olivier Gueritee), and the interest between them becomes more than just friendly; some good-natured horseplay stirs a desire between them, and after the two share a kiss on the beach, Clement is obsessed with Marion. While she's unsure about starting a relationship with a boy less than half her age, Marion can't deny her feelings for Clement, and before long she and the youngster are lovers. One night, Clement appears at Marion's doorstep, announcing he's run away from home and wants to move in with her; Marion isn't sure what to tell the boy, knowing the foolishness of such a move even though she does love him, and soon Clement is crestfallen, certain that Marion no longer cares for him. Clement was written and directed by Emmanuelle Bercot, who also stars as Marion; the film was shown in the Un Certain Regard series at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, where it received the Young Cinema Award. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Olivier Guéritée, Emmanuelle Bercot, (more)
- 1999
- NR
In Peau Neuve, Samuel Le Bihan plays Alain, who has a life many would envy. He has a wife, a son and a well-paying job testing video games. But Alain isn't happy, so one day he decides to quit and pays a visit to an employment office. After diving into an impulsive liaison with one of the female employment counselors, he learns of a four-month residential training program for folks who want to drive heavy machinery. Alain likes the sound of this and signs up, despite his wife's decided lack of enthusiasm for Alain's new career path. While Alain takes to the earth movers like a duck to water, one of his classmates, Manu (Marcial Di Fonzo Bo), is intimidated by the machines, even though this is the job he's always dreamed of. Alain tries to help Manu and build his confidence, even though his attempts to push Manu forward could be holding Alain back. Director Emilie Deleuze cast several real-life earth-moving trainees and instructors alongside the professional actors to add a sense of realism to this film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Samuel Le Bihan, Marcial Di Fonzo Bo, (more)
