cast: Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, Rachael Taylor, Gustavo Brambila, Dennis Farina, Eilza Dushku

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Rated: PG13

reviewed by Charity Bishop
 

This movie made barely more than a fizz at the box office and only came to my notice by accident when a friend rented it and thought I might be interested in it due to some of the actors involved. Bottle Shock is an interesting take on a real-life event with a handful of plot lines that never really go anywhere but that does leave you with a feeling of satisfaction.

The French have the best wine in the world. Or so they like to profess. Englishman Steven Spurrier (Rickman) certainly agrees with them. He has a fine little wine shop in the heart of Paris that no one ever comes into apart from his American friend Maurice (Farina), who likes to sample the stores. The problem is the French are so accustomed to their wine that they don't need outsiders telling them how good it is, which leaves Steven somewhat in a bind. He cannot lure people into his store and so never sells anything. Rumor has it, though, that California is a budding threat to the French monopoly on the trade. Surely those uncultured, uncouth Americans cannot possibly compare to the sublime taste of French wine. After all, they are a bunch of hick-town hippies!

So Steven sets out to prove as much, hoping that the attention he gives them and their wine will result in him being able to return to Paris and start up an annual wine-tasting event in which the French will participate just so they can pat themselves on the back. Thousands of miles away in the vineyards of Napa Valley, Jim Barrett (Pullman) is facing financial ruin. His wine is not as good as he had hoped and he is risking it all on making the perfect batch. His obsession is about to drive everyone he knows nuts, most of all, his "free loving" son Bo (Pine). Having returned from a life of meaningless wandering and surfing to a job he is not particularly interested in, the only thing Bo really wants is to win over the heart of Sam (Taylor), their new college intern, a blonde bombshell with has more of a connection with his best friend Freddy (Brambila).

It is inevitable that Steven and the Barretts run into one another and their initial impressions of each other are somewhat less than positive. Even more interesting is that Steven has tasted several wines in the district and found them comparable to those in France. Soon, he has all the winemakers in the district clambering for their brand to be chosen to represent California vineyards. The outcome of the competition and the journey various characters take in reaching it may surprise you. Or not, depending on how well you know your history. Coming from a family who doesn't drink, I wasn't certain what the outcome would be and that made the film more enjoyable. It's a movie that has some good things about it but others just don't work well. For one thing, the relationship between Sam and Freddy winds up in bed and then doesn't go anywhere. She moves on to Bo without either of the boys showing much interest in the outcome. It makes her into nothing more than a slut, and I think her character had more potential than that.

For some reason, the movie felt long overall but did have some good moments and great performances. The ending shot of Alan Rickman smirking over a glass of wine alone is worth it. One of the more under-used cast members is Eliza Dushku, who is great whenever she's around (and that's not nearly enough). The movie does earn its rating through language (including two f-words, a handful of abuses of God's name coupled with profanities, and some general profanities and insults) and implied nudity. In order to get a ride, Sam flashes the first car she sees -- which unfortunately for her, turns out to be a police car. He's in the midst of writing them a ticket when she pulls up her shirt and flashes him again, just so he'll be forced to arrest her and give them a ride. The camera doesn't show us anything but still it makes the scene rather uncomfortable. Her scene with Freddy consists of passionate kissing and a morning after shot. There is some conversation about free love and sex. Obviously, there is a huge amount of drinking.

Stereotypes abound and the French are depicted as snail-slurping slobs who are appalled that American wine could even be compared to theirs. That being said, there are some good things that happen -- Bo and Jim repair their rocky father-son relationship and that has an effect among the people they work with. There is a positive outcome all around. I just wish Sam would have a better role.