A Good Year
I saw this movie back when it came out in 2006 in my Yahoo! jet set days. It stars Russell Crowe as a hard driving, world class a—hole, playboy and money hungry investment banker named Max Skinner. “Max Skinner doesn’t do weekends. Max Skinner doesn’t do holidays. Max Skinner makes money.” Living in London he learns he inherits his recently passed and estranged uncle’s winery and estate in Southern France.
Away from his high pressure job he starts to reminisce about his happy childhood with his uncle. “Every single one of my memories takes place within 100 steps of this very spot. Good memories? Grand.”
“This was my room when I was a little boy. Sleeping here was the safest place in the world. No bedtimes, no chores, no squabbling adults. Those summers saved my life.”
“I can’t for the life me think of why I stopped coming down here. I love this place. It’s intoxicating.”
He also meets a group of eccentric French winery workers, an American cousin from Napa and a new local love interests. It opens his eyes, ignites his joy and makes him realize there is more to life than work and money. It reawakens his humanity and his deep regret for not telling his uncle he loved him. More importantly he does the right thing in the end and protects his uncles legacy.
There is a specific scene that stands out near the end of the movie. After the chaos he causes, he gets an offer from his big boss, Sir Nigel. Either leave with a big severance or become Partner of the firm for life.
When talking with his PA who tells him: “partner, you are made for life. Sir Nigel didn’t become partner until he was 53. Now look at him.”
Max replies. “Yes, look at him.” What he means if you have not watched the movie, Sir Nigel was an old, out of shape man with more money than he can spend, buying expensive art and paintings that he doesn’t even look at. Existing but not living. Which is a good career lesson: if you want to figure out what your future looks like, look at the life your big boss lives. Is it one that you want? I’d say in most cases, probably not.
I actually needed this movie as one of my wake up calls when I was making the decision to leave my cushy, comfortable executive job at Yahoo!
I was so money hungry, goal obsessed and scared at the same time, that I spent the first two years of my daughter’s life away working and expanding the Yahoo! empire. And for what. Foolishly, I did the exact same thing at 500 Startups to my ever lasting regret.
“This place just doesn’t suit my life.” No, Max, it is your life that doesn’t suit this place.”
I’m glad I caught this movie again. Money, career, work and success are important. But it’s a reminder that it’s good to stop and smell the flowers. To be more present. To enjoy the simple pleasures of life. That is my big take away rewatching this movie.
I’ll end with a quote from the uncle. “Once you find something good Max, you have to take care of it. You have to let it grow.”