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Directed by Written by Starring Rated PG-13 Presented by 108 Minutes |
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BOTTLE
SHOCK Review
On America’s bicentennial, the land now famously known as Napa Valley was starting to emerge as a place for wineries. The wines were only sold locally and its residents enjoying its taste, but it would be a visit from a British wine shop owner living in Paris that would change the course of the way wine would be viewed throughout the world. To many, the thought of a movie about these series of events would not be interesting, but I did love SIDEWAYS and when BOTTLE SHOCK was presented to me for review, I wanted to check it out due to its great cast. I’m glad I did as it’s a satisfying and sophisticated comedy/drama worth viewing as an alternative to the big budget blockbusters. Vineyard owner Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman) is well respected in the Napa Valley for his big winery, but business hasn’t been well and he’s contemplating shutting down the business. To make matters worse, he views his son Bo (Chris Pine, soon to be Capt. Kirk in STAR TREK) as a goofy loser who seems to care more about girls than the business, but at closer glance Bo does have a good understanding of wine and spends time at a local bar with good friend Gustavo (PLANET TERROR’s Freddy Rodriguez) who has a knack for knowing the exact year and vintage of a wine just by tasting it. While business is bad for Jim, business is worse for British wine owner Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman, never finer) whose wine shop only gets one customer; his American friend Maurice (Dennis Farina) whose own business is right next door. Spurrier, in an attempt to boost interest in his store, decides to go to California and taste the finest wines so he can bring their best against France’s best in a blind taste testing contest. BOTTLE SHOCK is a delight, a well paced comedy/drama that boasts one of the finest casts assembled this year, and all are at the top of their game. Chris Pine shows in his characterization of Bo that he can carry a film. At first, he appears to be a slacker, but he’s just a man who likes to have fun and does take his work very seriously. He’s well liked and respected amongst the townsfolk but his relationship with his father Jim is very strained. Pullman is great as Jim, the well meaning but stubborn owner of Chateau Montelena, a dream he’s had all his life and one he believes in so much, he dropped out of his secure business job to make his own business. For the summer of 1976, they get a new intern, the hot Sam (Rachael Taylor of TRANSFORMERS) who develops a relationship with both Bo and Gustavo, a worker for Jim but has his own grapeyard with his father (Miguel Sandoval) and has an impeccable taste for vintage wines. To make money, Bo and Gustavo participate in taste challenges at the local bar and scheme with the bar’s owner Joe (Eliza Dushku in a fun extended cameo) on the wines chosen. When Spurrier comes into town at the advice of Maurice, it becomes a fun fish out of water story, with Spurrier slowly accepting the beauty and eccentricities of Napa Valley. His first encounter with Jim doesn’t go too well thanks to Jim’s abrasiveness, but ultimately his presence draws such an interest from the vineyards that all know that a good notice from him will boost their careers. The ensemble is great, but Rickman and Pullman, the veterans, deliver best here. The script is sharp by Randall Miller, who assembled most of the cast in his previous film NOBLE SON (which comes out in release after BOTTLE SHOCK, in October) and delivers the best from the actors. Napa Valley is also photographed beautifully by cinematographer Mike Ozier. Miller also does a fine job as director, as the actors blend well into their roles. At 110 minutes, the film doesn’t really slow down in spots, as its many characters’ storylines blend well, but a couple felt a little out of place. For example, the scene with Gustavo and Sam forging an intimate relationship which upsets Bo, and while there’s a resolution between Bo and Gustavo, there isn’t one between Gustavo and Rachel, which makes for some inconsistency. I also would’ve liked to see more of Dushku’s character, who lit up the screen every time she appeared. She’s one of the few that can play tough and sexy simultaneously and delivers well. In all, BOTTLE SHOCK is a delight for the arthouse crowd. STAR TREK fans curious about the upcoming release may want to check it out for Pine and fans of pure acting will no doubt love this film. It’s worth a look when it hits limited release and would be a nice alternative to the big budget noise in the summer season. Check it out. BOTTLE SHOCK: 7 Out Of 10
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