Film Review
Bottle Shock
by Bob Ecker
Bottle Shock, the new indie “wine film” based on the actual “Judgment of Paris” 1976 Tasting, is finally out in wide release. Produced and directed by a husband and wife team, Jodi Savin and Randall Miller, the film stars Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Chris Pine, Rachael Taylor, and Freddy Rodriguez. Actors Eliza Dushku and Dennis Farina round out the cast. Filmed in gorgeous Napa and Sonoma counties, cinematographer Mike Ozier accurately captures the majesty of California wine country. The locations burst with dusty, elegant beauty.
The story is pretty simple: Basically, as a publicity stunt, a very snobbish British Wine Merchant, Steve Spurrier (delightfully portrayed by Alan Rickman) organized a wine tasting to be held in France, pitting famous French wines against upstart American wines from far off California.
Spurrier (Rickman) travels to California to sample and learn about the American wine scene. Most often seen in a pinched, tight-fitting three piece suit, he drives his rented yellow AMC Gremlin around the rustic California wine country. Dripping with attitude, Rickman’s character eventually recognizes the high quality of wine being produced in California, and the level of expertise in winemaking he craves.
Meanwhile, the Château Montelena winery in Calistoga (northern Napa County) is in dire financial straits. Owner and ex-lawyer Jim Barrett, expertly played by Bill Pullman, is attempting to work through problems while his long haired son Bo, played by Chris Pine, is off having fun, hustling money through wine tastings no less. Spurrier meets Barrett and son along with other docile plot developments.
At the last minute, Spurrier is given a number of bottles to take back to Paris. At the famous tasting, the venerated team of French wine experts unknowingly and unanimously selected American white and America red wines to be the best in the world. The winning white, Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay, catapulted the wine world’s recognition of American, and subsequently all new world wines. Everyone, except the French, were happy.
Actor Freddy Rodriguez, as real life Montelena winemaker Gustavo Brambila steals the show. Gustavo also made his own wine and knew the land better than anyone. Rodriguez’s tough, steely, brooding pride and passion comes right through the screen. Ironically, when discussing his experience making the film, Freddy Rodriguez said, “I finally figured out the difference between good wine and bad wine.”
Unfortunately, though the film is gentle and loving toward California wine and the wine country, Bottle Shock has about as much edge as a full, round, buttery glass of Chardonnay. The script, based upon this important event in the wine world, does not live up to the real thing. The editing seems disjointed, with some scenes ending prematurely. The father-son drama (the characters actually stage boxing matches against each other) is evident, but we never really understand the pathos or dimensions of these characters. Pullman is his usual strong American type, but emerging star Chris Pine’s Bo Barrett is so aloof (maybe Bo Barrett was a spoiled brat?) that watching him gets boring. And the beautiful young Tasmanian actress Rachael Taylor has no real role in this film - she is strictly eye candy. I give her kudos for a fine American accent, but her character, Sam, is apparently on screen to walk around, and in some way assist the two younger male leads. We never see her, or really anyone doing any work in Bottle Shock - which is ostensibly about winemaking.
Nonetheless, Bottle Shock is an enjoyable film and a pleasant way to pass a couple of hours. In fact, it may induce viewers to run and out to their nearest restaurant, bar or wine shop to savor some exemplary California wines. Or even plan a visit to Napa or Sonoma. Said to be the next big thing for Chardonnay sales - Bottle Shock will certainly be a boon for the wine industry and a stepping stone in the careers of these actors.
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