Bottle Shock – C+

Glad to be back. One of the wonderful perks of going to Sundance is the unveiling of the indies to the large market. From the preview, Bottle Shock looks like a “must-see”. The trailer had high production value, a few laughs and a patriotic subject, US beating the French.
I wanted to like this movie and did. But the first half’s failures made the second half merely bearable. It’s a shame. I can tell you the biggest problem this and many other movies consistantly run into; I don’t feel for the characters.

As charming as the story’s subject is, I don’t identify or feel drawn to any of the heads on screen. We are introduced to too many, then spend too little time waiting for the big judgment.
Alan Rickman plays a snobby Brit (a reach for even his talent) captivated and dedicated to preserving the French “Invincible Vine”. Cut to the Barrett winery. Snuggled deep in wine country Bill Pullman (played the president in Independence Day) is the owner of Chateau Montelena.

Now all of the events this movie is based upon are true. In 1976 “The Judgment of Paris” occurred when a Brit named Steven Spurrier (not the football god) faced Cali vs. The French in a blind taste test. Guess who won. The movie loves to play upon the “trueness” of the events. It becomes too much. We are painstakingly introduced to each judge even though none of the audience will know one French puff from the next. Apparently these people were really there, but who cares! Randall Miller writes and directs well. Then he writes and directs poorly. It is a tale of two movies, and sadly, I don’t feel that the ending redeemed the crappy love story that is inserted into every movie regardless of truth. If it’s about the wine, SHOW US the wine.

Rachael Taylor plays the hottest intern known to man. Seriously, I checked. I can’t imagine this part of the story actually happened, it’s just there to fill up 20 minutes of a plot everyone knows going into the movie. She has a quasi romance with BOTH Freddy Rodriguez and Chris Pine. Apparently she’s the horniest intern known to man as well. I’m at a loss as to why this still works. The “love story” that we’ve seen so many times is with people who are just pretty. It’s not like there is real tension, it’s just make believe right? Why put the rat in the maze? They aren’t endearing, they don’t do anything other than look good on a 50 foot screen. Let’s smarten up, and write some better stories.

Most of the movie I was wearing my newly bought production hat. You see when you attend film school and listen to 3 hour lectures about sound design, you are bound to learn something. I become amazed at production value. There are some gorgeous helicopter shots in this movie that sweep the hills and valleys of Napa. He nails the aesthetics, even the music will make your skin tingle.

Verdict? Wait for video.