An event took place in 1976 that shook the world of wine to its core; a blind tasting of French and American wines finally and truly showed that French wine is the best in the world. Or, that was the intent anyway. Organized by Steven Spurrier, an Englishman who only sold French wine, believing it to be constantly and consistently the best in the world, the tasting shocked the French, as well as Jerry Lewis’ 17 non-French fans, when American wines won top spot in each category.
The timing of this film could border on being brilliant. Counter-programming a mature, whimsical adult film against the big summer blockbusters has proven successful in the past. The story itself is appealing; after all, who doesn’t love to bash the French? However, it's the cast that might be the real seller here. Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Dennis Farina, Eliza Dushku and Chris Pine (the new Captain Kirk) will bring some weight to a film that might go unnoticed with the wrong actors in it.
Bottle Shock premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and while it drew immediate comparisons to the Paul Giamatti film Sideways, the comparisons might not be accurate. Where Sideways was a film involving wine, Bottle Shock is a film about wine and wine connoisseurs. Though different they might be, the producers of Bottle Shock would love to emulate their predecessor’s box office success. Laughing at the French will be key. (Walid Habboub/BOP)
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