THE POPCORN REEL FILM REVIEW/"Bottle Shock"
Bill Pullman as Jim Barrett and Chris Pine as
Bo Barrett in Randall Evans's "Bottle Shock", based on a true story, who became
the toast of California and the wine universe in 1976 after a blind wine tasting
in France. (Photo: Zin Haze Productions)
Spirits Of '76: Fine Wine In The Sunshine Of
California's Napa Nascence
By
Omar P.L. Moore/August
18, 2008
"Bottle Shock" is a bubbly surprise based on a true story of the Chateau
Montelena Chardonnay wine voted the world's top wine in 1976 by a group of wine
connoisseurs against all expectation in a blind tasting in France. In the
early 1970's under the auspices of one Jim Barrett, Montelena evolved in the Napa Valley
vineyards of California, which at the time was not considered seriously as a
wine developing state. Steven Spurrier, a British wine purveyor in France,
was convinced that Northern California's wineries didn't amount to a hill of
beans and his elitist elan clouded his judgment. But was he ever wrong.
Alan Rickman is at his best as Mr. Spurrier, imbuing his character with a cynicism and charm
that is as infectious as it is entertaining. He anchors the sturdy ensemble cast
that includes Bill Pullman (as Jim Barrett), Chris Pine (as Bo Barrett), Freddy Rodriguez
(as Gustavo Brambila) and Dennis Farina, who
plays Maurice, a flamboyant businessman residing next door to Spurrier.
"Bottle Shock"
evolves nicely into an engaging tale of love, tension, frustration and
discovery. There are good performances all around, especially from Mr.
Rickman, Mr. Pullman and Mr. Rodriguez. We care about these characters and
thanks to the script the vast majority of them are well-drawn enough for us to want to see
only the best happen for them. In these colorful and humorous characters
lie the strengths of Randall Miller's film, which opened last weekend in many
cities across the U.S. while continuing in others.
The only problems with "Bottle Shock" are two-fold: its editing of two scenes
(one about Jim Barrett's job prospects and the other about a budding
rivalry between Mr. Pine and Mr. Rodriguez's characters.) The first of
these scenes should have been abbreviated; the other should have been expanded
further. And a troublesome issue is Sam, the lone female character
(Rachael Taylor) who is
presented as an unchaste wanderer. Either the script (written by Jody
Savin & Mr. Miller and Ross Schwartz) doesn't know how to insert this impulsive female into the
proceedings or simply isn't invested enough in doing so. Films based on true stories will always
take dramatic license, but to depict an all-too accommodating woman simply to have
her exist as a prop to the story to perhaps "spice" it up when it doesn't even
need any further enlivening does the film (and Ms. Taylor) a disservice. The writers could have
made Sam's presence in the
narrative more meaningful and less symbolic; instead Sam just drifts in and out
of the film, reappearing in the
nick of time to service one male character's need when not busy servicing another's.
One of the more enduring things about "Bottle Shock" apart from its stellar
story is its self-distribution method (via Zin Haze Productions),
which so far has been a success. No Hollywood studio or mini-major was involved with the
distribution, meaning that the pertinent aspects of the film would be marketed
in the right fashion. This in and of itself represents a triumph and "Bottle
Shock", a sublime sun-filled pleasure even with some of its flaws, deserves
as large an audience as is possible.
With: Bradley Whitford, Miguel Sandoval and Eliza Dushku.
"Bottle Shock" is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America
for brief strong language, some sexual content and a scene of drug use.
The film's duration is one hour and 50 minutes.
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