Uncorked

Truthfully, I’m often quite nauseated by big budget Hollywood chick flicks. The simpering, whiny women make me cringe and their single minded goal of finding Mr. Right just sets my teeth on edge. Okay, those are unfair overgeneralizations. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make them wrong. I have, however, developed something resembling a fondness for the small time British equivalent of the chick flick. My chromosomal need for occasional chick entertainment isn’t negated by the plethora of Hollywood crap, so finding an alternate source for the occasional fix is quite satisfying. One film from this pool of little, basically unmarketed English films aimed directly at Chickville is the 1998 release Uncorked. Actually, that’s the US Video title. It is also known, under various releases, as At Sachem Farm, Higher Love and Trade Winds. I have absolutely no idea what the deal is with all the titles, but here, on video, the film is called Uncorked, and features the adorable Minnie Driver.

Uncorked slaps us down on Sachem Farm (well, there’s the reason for one of the titles), which is inhabited by Ross (Rufus Sewell), Uncle Cullen (Nigel Hawthorne) and Ross’ brother Paul (Michael E. Rodgers). Ross is being visited by fiancée Kendal (Driver) and her friend Laurie (Amelia Heinle, who bears a striking resemblance to Denise Richards). Tossed into the mix is Ross’ reclusive next door neighbor, Tom (Gregory Sporleder).

What we basically have here is a “change everyone’s life in 48 hours” type story. Cullen is obsessed with a centuries dead saint who lived fifty years atop a pillar. Cullen also fancies himself not only a philosopher but ultimate authority on what is best for virtually everyone as well. Paul is a recluse living in the woods around the farm. Ross is a grasper, always reaching, looking for the perfect entrepreneurial opportunity. Kendal is a fiancée without much enthusiasm. Tom is an ex-diver haunted by his previous career. And Laurie, well, frankly Laurie is a waste of space. But one out of six is a pretty good ratio as far as worthwhile characters in a romantic drama/comedy/girl movie.

While Ross attempts to sell the farm’s wine collection to the enigmatic Mr. Tang (a very funny Keone Young), Cullen does what he can to sabotage his nephew’s latest scheme. Ross is at his wit’s end with his lunatic family, not for a moment realizing that he’s as nutty as they are, albeit in a rather more socially acceptable way. The story plays out in typical fashion, with obstacles to overcome, revelations to be made, inner wishes to be discovered. And of course there is romance. It isn’t the single minded focus of the film, but it’s most definitely there.

What makes Uncorked, for me, so much more palatable than drivel like The Wedding Planner is that writer/director John Huddles gives us characters that are more than mere mating machines. They’re full of quirks and oddities and just a little bit of magic that makes them both more fun to watch and quite sympathetic.

Ross, Cullen and Paul are the most complete characters here, and they have a dysfunctional, warped yet ultimately sweet relationship. Each of these characters retains enough mystery to be interesting throughout the film. The romance between Ross and Kendal is understated – there is a conflict to be played out there, but without angst or hysterics. The enigma that is Tom the neighbor is weird. He’s not the strongest character and he doesn’t have the strongest story, but he’s really there more as a foil, a role the character fills well enough. Only Laurie is superfluous – a weak pass at upping the romance quotient that’s largely unnecessary. The fact that Heinle’s performance is stilted and wooden definitely doesn’t help.

The rest of the performances are pretty solid. Nigel Hawthorne stands out as the nutty yet sage Uncle Cullen, giving him a good sense of serenity that the character absolutely requires in order to succeed. The other standout performance is that of Rodgers as Paul. His role is quite small, as he is mostly a hermit in the forest, yet Rodgers plays him with a wonderful contentment and sweetness that is a good counterpoint to Ross’ desperate searching. Sewell does well with Ross’ restlessness and perpetual discontent – fidgeting and slightly manic. Minnie Driver is fine, if at times a touch annoying with her lectures and her doe-eyed stares.

The whole package of good performances, oddball characters and a goofy yet slightly magical story ends up working pretty well. It isn’t deep or hilarious or meltingly romantic, but it’s sweet and charming – which is a whole lot more than I can say for most of the chick flicks out there. Definitely worth a rent if you’re in the mood for a sweet romance without the cloying annoyances of big budget Hollywood. Uncorked is a little sleeper with just the right combination of quirk and charm.