(M) Russell Crowe, Freddy Highmore, Abbie Cornish, Albert Finney

Russell Crowe stars against type in this romantic comedy. Like a gender reversed Under the Tuscan Sun, Crowe stars as Max Skinner, a London financier who refers to his underlings as "lab rats" and treats everyone around him with the distain afforded to his lofty position.

Hot on the heals of orchestrating a seven figure windfall for his brokerage company, he discovers that the Uncle (Albert Finney) he spent his summers with as a child has died and left Max his estate which includes a Provençal chateau and vineyard. La Siroque is a lush, slightly rundown estate with enough charm to make Max think it would make him a couple of extra million if he was to sell it.

On arrival, however, he is instantly overcome with the memories of his childhood and hours spent in the vineyard with his eccentric Uncle Henry. He is informed also that he has been suspended from his firm while they investigate his questionable bond transaction.

With his future in flux, Max reluctantly settles in to life at the chateau. He reunites with the chateau's long-time vigneron Francis Duflot and his wife Ludivine and finds a childhood friend has blossomed.

Crowe is a delight in this film. He artfully conveys the comic timing required by the material and more than adequately conveys Max's redemptive arc, making you believe that his character's soul has been healed by the change of lifestyle and the people around him.

This is Ridley Scott's second collaboration with Crowe and his love letter to Provence where he owns a vineyard and estate. The lush cinematography and well-written screenplay by Peter Mayle (A Year in Provence) combine to make this experience an enjoyable one.

Adrian Drayton