Running time: 118 mins . . .

A GOOD YEAR, adapted from Peter Mayle's novel, has been criticised for lacking the charm of Chocolat. To me that would be a recommendation. Crowe has a rare opportunity to perform comedy as a London money trader who flies down to a vineyard in Provence left to him by his uncle and can't wait to sell it off, an attitude that doesn't impress the locals who admired his uncle and his wine even more. He gets his comeuppance from feisty waitress Marion Cotillard, whom he knocks off her bicycle, but then has to beg for help when he falls into an empty swimming pool. The fun is in the way childhood memories of visits to his uncle (Albert Finney, in flashbacks) subvert his cynicism, helped by the sensuality of the landscape and Cotillard. An added twist is the arrival of Abbie Cornish, claiming to be an American cousin and wowing everyone with her knowledge of wine.

Forget Gladiator and you'll find Crowe adept at sending up his laddish image.

Middletown (Brian Kirk): Matthew Macfadyen, Daniel Mays, Eve Birthistle, Gerard McSorley, Mick Lally.

Running time: 90 mins . .

PERHAPS because Middletown looks so great . . . as you'd expect from the debut of ad director Brian Kirk . . . it comes as a disappointment its over-the-top plot is so uninvolving. If melodrama doesn't draw you into its intensity, it's lost. It's the story of two brothers, reared in the Protestant fundamentalism of a small northern town.

Daniel Mays, the lesser son, grows up to marry Eva Birthistle, who runs a pub with her mother and is pregnant with their first child. He has always been overshadowed by Matthew Macfadyen, the pride of his father Gerard McSorley, who goes away to work as a missionary and returns as a fireand-brimstone minister determined to purify the village of sin, starting with his brother. While early scenes have a gritty conviction the action quickly gets out of hand leading to a finale that seems ludicrous even in the climate of northern sectarian hatred.

Stick It (Jessica Bendinger): Jeff Bridges, Missy Peregrym.

Running time: 105 mins . .

HOLLYWOOD is adroit at contriving ways of displaying girls in revealing costumes.

Now it's the turn of teenage gymnasts being put through eye-grabbing training by Jeff Bridges in preparation for state finals. All the cliches you'd expect provide an excuse for a plot. Missy Peregrym is a renegade champion who's sentenced to attend classes in lieu of serving time for vandalism. Bridges is her harsh taskmaster who has her best interests at heart. Writer-director Bendinger has form at this sort of floss with Bring It On, which is about her level.