Bottle Shock

So, I went to see the movie Bottle Shock today with my family.  I had to do a bit of convincing to see the movie.  My dad thought I only wanted to see the flick because Alan Rickman was in it. Well, that might have had something to do with it.  But I had other reasons.  Such as the film was based on a true story and that other good actors were also in it, notably Bill Pullman, Rachel Taylor (she's a real beauty), and Eliza Dushku (she's also a beauty).

I used what we shall refer to a "guilt trip" to get to see this movie. Well, sort of. I went up to my dad, and said, "Dad, can we go to the movies on Friday, August 15?"  Naturally, he wanted to know what was so special about the 15th. "Well, Alan Rickman's in a new movie." Of course. He then goes, "Just because he's in it doesn't mean it's good."  I told him that we should see the movie because I would be going to college soon and it would be some of the last bit of quality time the family would have before I went away.  My college is only about an hour and a half away, but I wanted to emphasize the fact that I would not always be around to hang out with dad. Obviously, since I am writing this blog, my plan worked.

Has my dad never seen Alan Rickman act before? I know he has, but he probably hasn't been paying much attention to the man's God-given talent.

Okay, back to the movie: Bottle Shock. Is it worth your time or not?  That, ladies and gentlemen, is a trick question. Of course it's good. Yes, I'm being biased. But this is one Hell of a movie. It's character driven.  I don't think I've seen a movie where each and every notable character had a motivation of some sort.  There are no stock characters. Of course, not every character has a backstory.  There are the extras.  The casting is spot on.

What's the story?  Rickman plays a man named Steven Spurrier, who is a British French Wine snob.  Well, he isn't really a snob.  He's just British, and well....you're not.  (Please note that there is an obvious disclaimer if a person reading this blog actually IS British).  Spurrier's wine business in Paris, France is not doing very well.  He decides to go to California to find some respectable competition.  He takes the Californian wine back to Paris for a blind wine tasting competition with and all-French panel.  To the horror of the French, the Californian wines win.

While in the Napa Valley, Spurrier meets many interesting people, tries KFC chicken and guacamole.  He even gets a flat tire (and of course he is helped out by the man who later beats him in a wine tasting). What fun.

Check out Bottle Shock. It is a truly great film.