Russell Crowe has cast aside his tough-guy image and donned a pinstripe suit for his latest film. The Oscar-winning actor leaves behind the hardman persona of recent movies to play a London investment banker in A Good Year, set in France's picturesque Provence region.
Having often adopted an American accent in the past, the Australian star is set to imitate the clipped English tones of a city gent in his latest flick. In the comedy, penned by Peter Mayle of A Year In Provence fame, Russell's character Max unexpectedly inherits a vineyard.
For the film Russell is reunited with Ridley Scott, who steered him to Oscar glory with Gladiator in 2000. The director knows Provence well as he owns property near the set in the town of Gordes.
For a Hollywood star who has attracted his fair share of media attention, the tranquil setting is the perfect place to unwind. Russell, who has admitted not being a big fan of city life, will have plenty to do on his days off.
He will be free to enjoy the delights of a countryside dotted with charming villages and historic chateaux along with his wife Danielle Spencer and their young son Charlie. Each year throngs of visitors are also drawn by the region's gastronomic fare, which includes delicious wine tastings and gourmet cooking classes.
Indeed as filming was going on recently in one of the famed Provençal marketplaces shoppers seemed more interested in stocking up on wine and cheese than catching a glimpse of their high-profile visitors.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
