BOTTLE SHOCK (will not reveal the reason of the title as that would be a story spoiler) traces the struggles of Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman) in the making of the perfect chardonnay at his Napa Valley vineyard.  Before the bank forecloses, he has to win a blind wine test engineered by a Brit in Paris (Alan Rickman) in order to boost sales.

Director Randall Miller (HOUSEGUEST and NOBEL SON) crafts his film meticulously from the period details, soundtrack, wardrobe and 70’s vehicles.  Rickman as Steven Spurrier delivers a two-minute welcoming speech in French (with subtitles).  But the camaraderie of the wine growers appears too perfect to be believable.  Expected too are the flaws of Hollywood films too serious about their subject.  BOTTLE SHOCK sinks at times into sappiness (re-hiring of a sacked farmhand; father and son reunion) and heads predictably into its expected conclusion (the winning of the Napa wines; the titles emphasizing what is seen is true and what happens in the future).  One also wonders about the insertion of the pretty wine intern (Rachel Taylor) into the story except to please the male audience.

For a film that praises the efforts and results of American wine growers, BOTTLE SHOCK need not have to glorify Americana and treat Frenchmen (like the blind wine taste judges) as idiots.  Worst still for a film that puts its roots on the dates and accuracy of the events that put the Napa Valley on the wine map of the world, Miller (who also co-write the script) puts too much attention on the father son (Chris Pane) conflict and concentrates too much on the efforts of just one family.

BOTTLE SHOCK is a film too pretty to look that it prompts one to question its accuracy and truthfulness.  For the record, the characters of the intern, the bartender played by Eliza Dushku and the fabulous Cantavale (Dennis Farina) are fictitious and added for ‘dramatic’ effect.  But one will find it hard to dislike a film so dedicated to its subject.  Unless, of course, you are French.