The rest of the movie has some tantalizing glimpses of charm that make the inauthentic parts just stand out more. The scenes between Highmore and Finney are charming in the way that both those actors are, and a subplot involving a possible illegitimate daughter to Finney’s character showing up at the vineyard (played by Abbie Cornish) works well enough. Also a nice touch is the old French comic-relief married couple who have run the vineyard since Max was a child.

Despite what this review may have led you to believe, I actually don’t have much of a problem with Russell Crowe himself. He’s a very fine actor and I’ve loved his work in such varied films as L.A. Confidential and The Insider. But (a) the whole befuddled-Hugh-Grant-type just seems awkward, and more importantly, (b) his character is in no way likable. I’d love a good bit of predictable lighthearted comedy if it wasn’t so transparently hijacked and used as attempted public-image therapy.

Movie Grade: C+

Synopsis:

An Englishman (Crowe) inherits a vineyard in Provence. Upon arriving at his new property, he meets an American woman who claims that the land is hers.