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Matinee Melee: ‘Bottle Shock’ a movie for any palate

By: Holly Leber
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By: Casey Phillips
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Casey Philips: This is a beautiful film, both in terms of its sun-soaked presentation and its story of underdogs triumphing over adversity. Normally, I feel less invested in historically based movies since the outcome is clear before the title screen (“Titanic” and “Apollo 13” being prime examples), but in the case of “Bottle Shock,” I found any degree of apathy to be all but impossible. Even knowing that they would eventually trump the French on their own turf, I was immersed in the tale of the Napa Valley residents’ fight against self-doubt and a seemingly insurmountable opponent.

Bill Pullman has been in a lot of bad movies (among them “Lake Placid” and “Scary Movie 4”) since his stint as America’s president in “Independence Day,” and it was a welcome surprise to see him pull out such an emotional performance (bloody knuckles and all) as vintner Jim Barrett, a man fighting disappointment, both in himself and in his ne’er-do-well son Bo (Chris Pine). As usual, Alan Rickman pulled off a convincingly snobbish performance as the doubting-Thomas British wine aficionado Steven Spurrier.

Holly Leber: Inevitably a film about wine is going to draw comparisons to “Sideways,” but “Bottle Shock” is no “Sideways: Redux.” The earlier movie was more academic. It was about the critic, the wine taster. This film is about the artist, the wine makers. The story and the characters are more salt-of-the-earth. It’s about struggle and triumph — the struggle of class, of generations, of friends, of countries. I especially liked the dichotomy between Jim, who was likely a child of the Great Depression, and Bo, who came of age in the 1960s, if age estimations are correct. And it’s about triumph over doubt — in self and from others.

Casey: You’re absolutely spot on. “Sideways” made you want to drink wine to feel sophisticated, but “Bottle Shock” makes you want to drink it because it’s mysterious and sexy. This film is a celebration of the spiritual, almost reverential appreciation for vin. It’s the anti-snobbish “Sideways.” The pacing is excellent, and despite being a retelling of a true story, the plot is so engaging that it’s surprisingly easy to forget you know what’s going to happen. In fact, with the exception of a mostly unnecessary romantic subplot between Bo, his assistant Sam (Rachael Taylor) and their mutual friend Gustavo (Freddy Rodriguez), “Bottle Shock” hits almost all the right notes. Although it has drawn obvious comparisons to “Sideways,” it’s got just as much in common with “The Lords of Dogtown” and “Rocky.” To top it off, the film’s soundtrack is a real gem of classic ’70s music.

Holly: In terms of the romantic triangle subplot, I actually liked the Sam-Gustavo side of it. They had the outsiders’ bond and honestly. There was just something very sexy about their scenes together. The Sam-Bo part I could have done without. They lacked sufficient chemistry and with matching flowing blond locks, Pine and Taylor could have been playing twins.

While some movies have nudge-nudge, wink-wink cameos, I appreciate that the smaller roles in “Bottle Shock” didn’t fall into that trap. Bradley Whitford, Miguel Sandoval, Eliza Dushku and Dennis Farina (at one point in a suit to write home to 1976 about) all play their limited screen time gracefully.

In fact, I’d call the whole movie graceful. And I agree that it definitely puts you in the mood for a bottle of wine. In fact, the movie ticket ought to come with a glass, for anyone of age. Those who have seen “Sideways” know Alexander Payne’s celluloid valentine to Northern California disparages (unprintable word) Merlot, but Casey, did “Bottle Shock” put you in the mood for any one particular type of wine?

Casey: Not any one type of wine, necessarily, but I was itching to uncork a bottle of something. Unfortunately, I don’t have a defined palate, but unlike after watching “Sideways,” drinking for the sheer enjoyment of it doesn’t seem like such a crime after watching “Bottle Shock.” This is definitely a movie for any palate, wine lover or not.

Holly: I typically have a penchant for South African wines, but “Bottle Shock” put me in the mood to break out a California Chardonnay. Nothing like patriotism on the vine. By the way, the Barrett’s vineyard, Chateau Montelena, is still open for business. Maybe someday I’ll find out if the wine is as good as the story. The film struck a great balance — some comedy, some drama, some romance, lovely scenery, good music — I think we’re officially entering into good movie season. And I’ll definitely drink to that.

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