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Sep 7, 2011

A Good Year, Dining in Provence: Welcome to the 159th Tablescape Thursday!

A Good Year, Starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard

Tablescape Thursday:
A few months ago I had the opportunity to see the movie A Good Year starring Russell Crowe as Max Skinner and Marion Cotillard, as Fanny Chenal.  A Good Year is a British romantic comedy based on a book by Peter Mayle.  He also wrote, A Year in Provence .   A Good Year has been described by some as the male version of Under the Tuscan Sun.


The  majority of the scenes in this film take place on a vineyard estate in Provence (southeastern France) so the setting is truly beautiful.



Even with the somewhat predictable story-line, it's worth a watch if for no other reason than the beautiful scenery.




Max spent his childhood summers with his Uncle Henry who owned the estate.  When Uncle Henry passes, he inherits the chateau and the estate/vineyards. Max travels to France to assess the value of the estate and to prepare it for sale.



Now, I ask...could you bear to sell this beautiful chateau in the south of France...if it were left to you by your long, lost uncle?



While in France, Max goes through lots of professional and personal changes.  He falls in love with this enchanting place where he spent so much time in his youth.  And of course, there's a romance in this picturesque movie...gotta have romance in this setting.

One scene occurs in this cozy, candlelit dining room.   A beautiful table has been set by the housekeeper..so romantic.  When I saw this movie, I knew I needed to share this for a Tablescape Thursday.



Max is seen here dining alone on this particular evening.



The wine on the table is from the estate itself.  I love the blue and white transferware...just adds to the romance of this movie. Notice the little silver wine holder there on the table.



I found a similar wine holder while antiquing and posted about it HERE in a post about "Party Planning."  Love those small little details.  They add so much to a table setting, don't they?



Later in the movie, a co-worker of Max's (from London) comes to the estate to talk with Max.  He's lighting the candelabra in preparation of dinner.   Love the billowing sheers at the French doors.



I love that he lit the candelabra though he is dining alone.  Even a dinner alone can be made to feel special.



Again, we see the pretty blue and white transferware.


Hope you enjoyed this little trip to Provence.  Looking forward to your beautiful tablescapes.

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49 comments:

  1. hey Susan...

    thanks for hosting

    I haven't seen that movie, but I have read the books...looks right up my alley!!!

    I am joining in today with a coffee tablescape...hoping that is still all a-ok...

    cheers

    Sarah

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  2. Would love to see this movie, Susan. I certainly enjoyed the book.

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  3. I love this movie! I want the laid back lifestyle and the lovely old faded house. And the rundown gardens. All of it

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  4. Sweet! I own the movie and just started reading the novel ~ A Good Year, by Peter Mayle. If you haven't seen the mini-series "A Year in Provence," I highly recommend it. I just finished reading Under the Tuscan Sun, the fictionalized movie version of which I also own and enjoy. The non-fiction novel, Frances Mayes' memoir, was quite enjoyable too and is now a member of my cookbook library…minus the pages containing recipes containing cute fluffy things. : ( Ohh laa….

    : )

    Julie M.

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  5. Susan, I haven't seen the movie or read the book, on the list of things to do. Thanks so much for hosting each and every week. I hope things are fine your way, hope you're enjoying cool fall temps, we sure are. Front porch sitting at it's best. :-))
    hugs ~lynne~

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  6. Hope your brother in law pulls through, scary.

    An English take on Under the Tuscan Sun sounds interesting.

    - The Tablescaper

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  7. I will say a prayer for your brother in law and your sister.

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  8. Susan, I just read about your brother-in-law, I am so sorry, I will pray for your family and send positive thoughts your way. Thanks for hosting, especially during this difficult time. I may not always have time to comment, but I read your blog regularly, and thoroughly enjoy all of your posts!

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  9. Hi Susan,
    so very sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I have been thru having my hubby have open heart surgery, it is a pretty scary thing.
    Will certainly be praying for him
    and for you, your sister and the family, and for the Dr. to have wisdom. May the peace of God be with you all...........
    Nellie

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  10. Thank you for being the hostess with the mostest!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

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  11. Thanks for hosting this lovely weekly event and sharing so much of your life with us.. Loved this movie, even if it was a bit predictable.. every now and then it's nice not to have to think, but just sit back and enjoy.. xo marlis

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  12. I hope all goes well for your brother in law and his family.
    goat hugs

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  13. I've seen this movie and love it for the feeling of honest joy that life and love can bring. The place is fabulously rich in character and I couldn't have left it either.

    Hope things improve for your b i law.

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  14. I watched the movie and really enjoyed it too, Susan...Christine

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  15. Susan , keeping your Brother-in-law and family in thought and prayers...please keep us posted on his recovery.

    I need to look for this movie it sounds just wonderful!! .... thank you for hosting another fabulous gathering of inspiring Tablescapes... I'm learning so much from everyone..xo HHL

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  16. How fun, Susan! I actually had dinner at the restaurant that served as Fanny's restaurant during my retirement trip to France 4 years ago. It's in Gordes...gorgeous hilltop village! And...we wound up at a table next to director Ridley Scott who has a home nearby! I did a post about it here:
    http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2009/07/mosaic-mondayoutdoor-wednesdayora-good.html
    It's my very favorite part of France... the Lubéron...Peter Mayle country! :-) Thanks for bringing back a happy memory!...hugs...Debbie
    PS...My thought and prayers are with Ronnie and Glenda

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  17. I certainly will pray for him! My neighbor , who is a doc, had the same thing happen. That was about 9 years ago, and he is fine now, so I am praying for the same for your bil!

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  18. Will keep your brother in law and the whole family in my thought and prayer. Laura

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  19. Probably one of my all-time favorite movies. I've watched it several times and have never noticed the details on the table that you shared. Just charming!

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  20. Hi Susan,
    I will be adding this movie to my movie list. I love Blue and White dishes. Yes! I'm praying for your family. My husband has been there and done that. Your sister needs support. It is very difficult watching your husband struggle for his life. Keep us posted on his progress. Miracles happen everyday
    xo
    Betty @ My Cozy Corner

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  21. This movie is one of our favorites.

    Prayers for Ronnie....keep us posted.

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  22. What a fun tablescape post! Now I'm interested in that movie!

    Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law.

    Thanks for hosting TT!

    Katherine

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  23. Well first I want to say I am so sorry to hear about your brother-in-law and I pray he will be okay. Sometimes is shaky for a bit.
    I love that movie! The character that home has is wonderful! I love how they turn his head around and the direction the movie takes! Good stuff!
    The little extra details, simple as they are say a lot!
    Take care-my thoughts are with you.
    Liz

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  24. Praying for you and your family, may good news come quickly...

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  25. Saying a prayer for your brother-in-law and family Susan.
    Meg

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  26. Ever - The red house by the lakeThursday, September 08, 2011

    Will be thinking of your family, I hope everything goes well.

    Just a quick note... A good year is by the same author as A year in Provence, but they are two different books. The A year in Provence book is about an englishman and his wife who buys a house/cottage in Provence and all the trouble they have with the french bureaucracy and the culture shocks with the locals. Quite charming, but definitely not the same story as in the movie. ;-)

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  27. Prayers going up that he makes a full recovery.

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  28. Sending prayers to your brother in law and hugs to your family. Hang in there.
    Lisa

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  29. I was already on my knees this morning, praying for a successful surgery for my DH later today,(minor compared to open♥) so I'll be happy to send up some more *knee-mails* for your BIL, Ronnie. I know how worried you are & I'm adding you & Glenda & the whole family to my prayer list. It affects everyone!

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  30. Just said a prayer for your brother-in-law, his family and yourself. God Bless.

    Love the movie...have the DVD and was so loving the sound track that I bought it through Amazon. Have also read the book. Was in Provence area in 2005 and apparently they were shooting the movie close-by but I didn't know it at the time. Beautiful country...I intend to return some day. Judy B. Houston Tx

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  31. Thank you for movie recommendation. I will check it out!

    Mary
    From Virginia

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  32. I am so very sorry for your loss. I know this will be a very hard time for your family. Please know that you are in my prayers.

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  33. I am not a Russell Crowe fan (don't hate me) but I did love the character he played in this movie. I've watched it a couple of times and love the whole storyline of children growing into adults what what becomes important to us. It was a fluff movie but I still liked it enough to watch it more than once. And the scenery....all I can say is WOW.

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  34. I need to add that movie to my list. I love that he takes the time to set the table for one. My Great Aunt used to do that and it is such a special ritual. Thanks for hosting as always! Jennifer

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  35. Prayers for all your family. Thank you for hosting this get together. I look forward to it every week.

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  36. Susan: Just read about your brother-in-law on my email subscription... I immediately prayed for him. Please keep us posted on him.
    Best,
    Gloria

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  37. P.S. On a light note: I wish you would have showed what was in that covered dish that the guy was JUST ready to pick up the cover. I love seeing food. ;)
    gv

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  38. I'll have to see that movie for sure. I love Peter Mayle's book, and I may even have that one - yet unread. Thanks for the movie house tour and hosting the linking party.

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  39. That looks like a good movie, I will have to get it. We have Netflix so I hope they have it. I cannot imagine a man dining like that alone but he looks like quite a romantic doesn't he? Thanks for sharing such pretty scenes.

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  40. Thank you my fav hostess for having me! I haven't seen that movie, so tomorrow I'll get it to watch with hubby at night...I never heard of it! Have a wonderful weekend. FABBY

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  41. Susan,
    You and Glenda are in my thoughts. Laura

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  42. So sorry to hear the news about Ronnie. You and Glenda are in my thoughts. Laura

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  43. LOVED that movie and actually even bought the soundtrack!

    I am so glad you reminded me of it, time to put that on my Christmas Wish List!!

    Great post.

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  44. Dear Susan, you and Glenda, Wanda and family are in my prayers..I'm so sorry and was shocked to hear about Ronnie's passing..Tell Sis I love her.Hugs and love Gloria

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  45. Susan, I don't know how you do it. You are I have enjoyed following the progress of you new office and Max. It so great to have such a devoted partner.
    I loved the post about the books and I dearly loved the sign by the book store.

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  46. Susan, I am so sad to learn about the loss of your BIL Is there anything that any of us can do to lighten your load for a bit? I'll keep your family in my prayers. Cherry Kay

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  47. This movie is one of my favorites!! I absolutely LOVE THE house and the grounds in this movie.

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