BOTTLE SHOCK
US, 2008, 110 minutes, Colour.
Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Rachael Taylor, Freddy Rodriguez, Dennis Farina, Eliza Dushku, Miguel Sandoval, Bradley Whitford, Joe Regalbuto.
Directed by Randall Miller.
Very embarrassing in these years when so many people know all about wines for this reviewer to admit that he had no idea what bottle shock was. It seems it has something to do with turning the bottles of wine during their maturing.
And, if you didn't know this, Bottle Shock will give you some vineyard and wine information overload. For those who do, then they will revel in this Napa Valley wine story.
It seems that it is based on actual events and the characters both in the US and in France are real personalities who were consultants on the film.
In the early 1970s, Steven Spurrier was an Englishman living in Paris, a connoisseur of wines, who was advised to diversify in his shop's wine stock (by an American expatriate played by Denis Farina). He tours California (with plenty of dialogue illustrating Americans' bemusement with the British, attitudes and expressions) and comes to appreciate the little known wines that he discovers. He sets up a wine tasting competition in Paris as the United States is celebrating its Bicentenary. As played by Alan Rickman, he is a sardonic observer of the wine industry.
Meanwhile, in Napa, Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman) has left a high profile job to create a vineyard with high ambitions to produce a distinctive wine. He is helped by his son Bo (Chris Pine) though his easy going style irritates his father. He is also very wary of Spurrier and his intentions, presuming that the competition is just a set-up to promote French wines.
If wine does not absorb your attention, you will have too much time to observe the odd performance of Bill Pullman, trying to work out his inconsistent motivations and the odd rivalry of Bo and co-worker Gustavo (Freddy Rodriguez) for the attentions of apprentice Sam (Rachael Taylor). One of the climaxes is the seeming failure of the entire output for the year. But, of course, the real climax is the wine tasting – and its results.
Thirty years later, as Spurrier is given lines to say, the French now have rivals from wines from all around the world.
Steven Spurrier, Jim Barrett and Bo Barrett all advised on the film.
1.The factual background of the film? The portrait of the wine industry? Europe and the United States? Rivalry?
2.The title, wine, its manufacture, storage, quality?
3.The contrast between France and the Napa Valley? Paris and the shops, cafés, the growing of grapes, production? The United States, California, the Napa Valley, vineyards, homes, roads, the wine presses, storage, the bars and cafes? The 70s? The musical score?
4.Steven Spurrier, his English background, in Paris, a connoisseur, his shop, failing? The discussions with Maurice? Discussion of wines, American wines? His expertise, Maurice and the running of his café, his clients?
5.Napa Valley, the Barrett family, Jim giving up his accountancy job, his intuition about wine, his hopes, growing the grapes, tending them, harvesting them, the press, storage, the colour – and the discolouration and his wanting to give up? His tough attitudes, Bo and his expectations of his son, Sam as the apprentice with her intellectual background and theory about wine, hard work? Gustavo, his work, making wine on his own, rivalry, firing him? His suspicions of Spurrier? Non-cooperation? His going back to San Francisco, trying to get his job back, the company reaction, the news about the discolouration, his return, his agreement for the competition, sending Bo to represent him?
6.Bo, young, the atmosphere of the 70s, post-Woodstock? His work, clashing with his father, friendship with Gustavo, buying the barrels, his father’s criticism? His interest in Sam? The reckless touch? The crisis with Sam, the clash with Gustavo? The discussions with Spurrier, his father firing him?
7.Sam, the student background, coming to work, interest in Bo, the relationship with Gustavo, Bo’s reaction? Helping with the investigation about the discolouration, the buying back of the stock?
8.Gustavo, friendship with Bo, his family, rival winemaking, his work, being fired, the relationship with Sam?
9.Jim getting rid of the wine stock? Being bought in the bar? Joe and her friendship, the discussions about the wine, selling it back?
10.The issue of discolouration, the experts, learning about wine production?
11.The other growers in the Napa Valley, the meeting, discussions, agreement that the Barretts should represent them?
12.The competition in Paris, Bo and his arrival, the attitude of the French, the tasters, the results? The surprise for the French? The consequences for French wines? The development of American wines?
13.A touch of history, a touch of entertainment – especially for wine lovers?
