.

Bottle Shock

Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Rachael Taylor, Eliza Dushku, Freddy Rodriguez

Directed by Randall Miller
Rolling Stone: star rating
5 3
Community: star rating
5 3 0
August 6, 2008

Be on the lookout for Bottle Shock, a hugely entertaining movie that scored at Sundance and the film festival circuit. It's a winner. And not just for oenophiles. Director Randall Miller, who co-wrote the script with his wife Jody Savin, keeps the plot brimming with spirit and wit. The focal point is historic 1976 blind wine tasting in Paris in which wines from California's Napa Valley scored a shocking victory over France's noble varietals. The resemblance to the indie smash Sideways is purely in the grapes. Miller is spinning delightfully on the true story that put Napa on the wine map. The architect of that victory is Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman), a British wine snob based in Paris who travels to Napa to test the underdog vineyards. Rickman is deliciously good as this fish out of water. "You think I'm an asshole," he tells the natives. "I'm just British and, well, you're not." Rickman is droll, dazzling perfection. And there are fine turns by Bill Pullman as Jim Barrett, who blew off his law firm to cultivate a legendary chardonnay at his Chateau Montelena, and Chris Pine (the young Capt. Kirk in the new Star Trek movie) as the son who slowly comes to appreciate his dad's guest. "Wine is sunlight held together by water," said Galileo, and Miller takes that feeling palpable. His movie, gorgeously shot by cinematographer Michael J. Ozier, catches the dappled beauty of Napa. But Miller triumphs by finding the soul of the rebels who tend its grapes. Bottle Shock is something special: there's magic in it.

prev
Movie Review Main Next

ADD A COMMENT

Community Guidelines »
loading comments

loading comments...

COMMENTS

Sort by:
    Read More

    Movie Reviews

    More Reviews »
    Daily Newsletter

    Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

    Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
    marketing partners.

    X

    We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

    Song Stories

    “More Than a Feeling”

    Boston | 1976

    Boston mastermind Tom Scholz was as surprised by anyone when he sent his unsolicited demo to record labels and got back a positive response. Scholz said, “I couldn’t believe it. Nobody knew who we were, so I wouldn’t even say we were struggling. It was groveling.” Part of the credit for the interest must go to the anthemic rock number "More Than a Feeling." Inspired by the Left Banke's 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee," Scholz worked on the song for five years in his basement studio before it was released on this album.

    More Song Stories entries »