Bottle Shock opens to mixed reviews January 21, 2008 Adam Lechmere
Bottle Shock, the first of the long-awaited movies about the Paris Tasting, has premiered at Sundance to mixed reviews.
While one festival blogger answers his own question, 'Is there room for another movie about wine?' with an unequivocal 'Nope', Variety is kinder.
This 'peppy and quite deliberate crowd pleaser' will 'please palates across the fest world,' the showbiz organ said.
The narrative may be 'sprawling', with some 'painfully corny sections', but it has 'a charming aftertaste'.
The story centres on the Barretts of Montelena and their part in the Paris Tasting. Jim Barret is played by Bill Pullman. Steven Spurrier is played by Alan Rickman (above) as 'a priggish yet open-minded British caviste'.
The blogger quoted above says Rickman plays Spurrier 'as if he's Peter Sellers playing Alan Rickman playing the character.' It's a 'weird and wildly entertaining performance', and 'just about the only thing worth seeing in it.'
A good deal of comedy is to be had with Rickman's Britishness, and Americans' inability to tell the difference between British and French, as in 'can we get a barrel sample for this French wine snob.'
There's a love interest involving Bo Barrett, a cute intern (Rachael Taylor) and 'an upstart Latino winemaker' (Freddy Rodriguez - Federico in Six Feet Under).
According to Variety, that particular plot strand works. 'Wine lovers won't just sip but guzzle a lot of this down, and the same effect that sun-dappled days and sex in California had on Sideways operates here.'
Director Randall Miller told Bloomberg.com that the film was 'as close to the truth as possible.'
Variety begs to differ, calling it 'a true story that only Hollywood could have made up.'
Another film, Judgement of Paris, has been held up by the writers' strike but decanter.com understands that writer Robert Kamen has finished the first draft of the script and has handed it to the producers.
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I love Randall Miller's remark that his film Bottle Shock is "as close to the truth as possible". Having seen a copy of the script before filming began, after having been told by Alan Rickman that he was playing me, I can assure you that, starting with the 28 years difference in the ages of Rickman now and me then, there is not one iota of truth as far as I am concerned. Montelena Chardonnay won the Paris Tasting and that is about it. Those who might want to see the true story should wait for the Judgement of Paris movie later this year.
Steven Spurrier, London, UK
Usually a preview magnifies the best bits. Unfortuantely it looks like Rickman vs the Dukes of Hazard-California Style. Knowing Rickman's work, if the movie is watchable at all, it will be due to his acting skills (dry wit).
US TV is so desparate for new material, that if the writer's strike goes on much longer, 'Judgement of Paris' may become a 'made for TV movie'. Where it seems to belong.
C Wells, Atlanta, GA, USA
Having just read George Taber's 'Judgement of Paris' I look forward to both films, especially the one with Steven Spurrier's endorsement. There is well enough hoop la in the wine world, hopefully the film can do the event justice! The facts hold so much fascination why embelish them? Truth is stranger than fiction after all. Either way I look forward to enjoying the film at face value, and am all for more wine films, there hasn't been nearly enough and are so many stories...
Regan Hawkins. Auckland, New Zealand
You should update and edit your title, as well as the article. The film is actually receiving primarily strong reviews.
There will soon be a favorable review by Rolling Stone, as well.
I wish your writer would have actually made the effort to watch the film, instead of basing their judgment on the writings of some random blogger. Variety (which had a positive review) & this gentleman were the only two reviews published when your article was written, and to present an overall opinion as "mixed" when a very small sample was culled is irresponsible. And Mr. Spurrier's constant effort of criticizing the film, without ever seeing it - is embarrassing and reeks of sour grapes. While the "Englishness" of his character is exploited, HIS character comes off very well in my opinion - HIS character displays grace when the Jim Barrett character insults him, HIS character shows magnanimity in the film's portrayal of his reaction to the Napa victory, and HIS character is played very well by Alan Rickman.
Most films that are based on a true story have dramatizations in them. I hope that the story that is entirely based upon the "Judgement of Paris" is successful, as it tells it from a different perspective. But to do such a disservice to all of the crew and actors who set out to make a great film and tell a great story by bashing it with such bias is a cruel thing - especially when you haven't even seen it. I was at Sundance, and spoke to many average movie-goers after the screening - and EVERYONE (maybe ten people that I spoke to - which is more than your writer) loved it. And the crowd (maybe 600 in attendance) clapped and laughed and seemed to enjoy their experience.
Once again, if your writer does not update this story to accurately reflect the views of critics that are actually employed by some publication - it comes off to me as a writer that is trying to cow tow to some bitter competitors.
Dan O'Brien
I recently saw Bottle Shock and thought it was a fantastic film. Alan Rickman's performance is hilarious and I thought Bill Pullman really pulled off a haunting, troubled character well. The cinematography is beautiful and such great music. I'm trying to track down the soundtrack! Definitely see this if you can. In my opinion, you won't be disappointed. Im glad its getting the positive reviews it deserves. opens August 8 in the US.
Michael Berger
I have to agree that this article seems biased based on considerations and opinions not having to do with the film. Whenever a movie is "based on a true story" the operative word is BASED. The truth is not always as interesting, as watchable, or as entertaining. Perhaps Spurrier was younger at the time, but can you think of a younger actor who would have done a impeccable as job as Alan Rickman? It doesn't seem as though your writer has seen the movie. It seems as though this story is based entirely on the opinions of a few people who for whatever reason have a personal ax to grind.
I actually did see the film, and I can tell you that I found it charming and funny, educational about wine without being instructive. It's beautifuly shot, very well acted by the entire cast, and has a ton of heart. Critics from Rolling Stone, The NY Observer, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter thought it was a great summer movie, Ebert agreed, and so do I!
Karen Miller, San Francisco, CA
I have to agree with Dan O'Brien (see above) on this one. I think there's bitterness out there just because "Bottle Shock" got here first. This is a great movie! And the reviews have been really positive, at least the ones I've read from the critics I actually listen to. After watching the film last night, I was researching reviews I agree with.
I imagine a similar thing happened with the two CAPOTE movies. It's tough when two stories are being made about the same subject matter. But really, what matters in the end is the quality of the film. With or without endorsements, I think it will be hard to top this film. It's got a great cast and a lot of humor and heart. I read that the filmmakers are involved in the distribution of the film too. I like that. Makes it feel like a real underdog taking on the status quo (much like the story in the movie). I see it's opening up in more theaters this weekend. I think it's going to do well. I'll be on the look out for the other film too. It will be interesting to compare.
David Stern
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Adam Lechmere
I love Randall Miller's remark that his film Bottle Shock is "as close to the truth as possible". Having seen a copy of the script before filming began, after having been told by Alan Rickman that he was playing me, I can assure you that, starting with the 28 years difference in the ages of Rickman now and me then, there is not one iota of truth as far as I am concerned. Montelena Chardonnay won the Paris Tasting and that is about it. Those who might want to see the true story should wait for the Judgement of Paris movie later this year.
I recently saw Bottle Shock and thought it was a fantastic film. Alan Rickman's performance is hilarious and I thought Bill Pullman really pulled off a haunting, troubled character well. The cinematography is beautiful and such great music. I'm trying to track down the soundtrack! Definitely see this if you can. In my opinion, you won't be disappointed. Im glad its getting the positive reviews it deserves. opens August 8 in the US.
