MovieChat Forums > Bottle Shock (2008) Discussion > Could have been great, but fell short.

Could have been great, but fell short.

posted 15 years ago by ml_hassler
6 replies | jump to latest

Saw a preview for this flick and thought, 'damn, there's a good movie premise, and the actors are all excellent". when i rented it, however, i was sadly disappointed. One of the really obvious downfalls for this movie is the soundtrack. the dialogue gets a bit cheesy here and there, but it would have been acceptable were it not for the Hallmark signature piano track behind it all. this movie isn't supposed to be a tear-jerker, its supposed to be informative, funny, and gripping, all of which would have been much more effectively transposed with a much less active score.
Overall, this movie was alright. it should definitely not be compared to Sideways because these are two completely different ideas. So they are both about wine. That would be like comparing 'Speed' and "the darjeeling limited" because the drama in both takes place on a moving vehicle.
If, you haven't seen this movie yet, Go see it. its worth watching once. it tells an interesting true story and makes you want a glass of wine.

[–] jackfrusciante80 15 years ago

Don't feel bad, you're not the only one who was disappointed in this movie. I rented it without reading anything about it, (having seen Bella the day before, I thought it was worth trying a movie I have never heard of) but I was wrong big time.

The only good thing about this movie was the scenery of Napa valley, nothing else. Everything was so cliche, and it felt really fake.

The blonde surfer dude who feels like a loser but isn't ? Check
The divorced dad who loses everything, that prevails in the end? Check
Hard working mexicans who make suceed? check
Hot blonde who sleeps with the main characters? Check

I wonder if the real people portrayed in the movie felt about it. My guess is they renounced the movie and their portrayal cause it was that silly.

[–] PurpleNiobe 14 years ago

I wonder if the real people portrayed in the movie felt about it. My guess is they renounced the movie and their portrayal cause it was that silly.

The only one who has renounced the film is the real Steven Spurrier. The rest seem to be fine with the movie and are aware that its not rooted in facts.

When the hurly-burly's done. When the battle's lost and won.

[–] sgraf_x 14 years ago

I totally agree. I felt a bit sad after it was over at the opportunity lost. Its a bit all over the place and unfocused on delivering the narrative which is simply the rise of the California wine industry by way of one families vineyard. The character development was really the weakest link in the film which at times was straight out of any daytime soap opera. There were parts of the film that I really liked and other parts that were completely inexplicable.

There is NO Gene for the Human Spirit.

[–] Issapunk 14 years ago

I watched this movie on Showtime having never heard of it before. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It wasn't oscar worthy and didn't try to be. It was a light, good-hearted movie with above average acting. I guess having low expectations pays off sometimes.

Big gulps huh? Well, cya later

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] erosangela 13 years ago

I like the sound of this film. I have seen Chris Pine in Star Trek and I liked what he did with the role of Captain Kirk. He had lots of spirit and so wanted to check out other films he's been in.
ml hassler your post was helpful to me, so thanks alot, I appreciate it.

strength comes from an indomitable will..