Amy Poehler Has A Solid Directorial Debut With Wine Country
Amy Poehler has been one of Hollywood’s biggest stars of the last 10 years. Her catalog ranges from starring roles in TV and film. She can now add director to the mix, as her first film, Wine Country, was released on Netflix. For the most part, this was a solid debut. Little things make it from being a great film, although, it’s still a good film.
There’s a difference between good and great. Wine Country falls more on the good side. There are some redeeming scenes in this film. The acting isn’t too bad, although, a lot more depth needed to be brought to the characters. Above all else, it’s a feel-good picture with a solid message.
The main theme around Wine Country is you’re never too old to close the book on yourself. Change can be a good thing, no matter how old you get. The characters in the film all experience change, go through hardships, have some sort of issue plaguing them. It’s the bond they share with each other that brings them out of it.
As previously mentioned, the characters in the film seem rather bland. There’s not much development throughout the film. Sure, each woman figures out their issue, though, the film doesn’t do a great job of conveying the need to address them. Aside from one or two characters, you don’t really care about some of the women’s storylines.
It’s not all bad for the cast of ladies. The chemistry between them is superb. Perhaps because a lot of these women have worked with Poehler before. Names like Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, all star in the film. Others such as Ana Gasteyer Paula Pell, and Jason Schwartzman, add to the chemistry. The highlight of the cast is Pell, who brings a comedic side that none in the film can match.
The casting of Pell was a home run for Poehler. She’s worked with Poehler on Saturday Night Live as a writer, and Fey on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. She understands the kind of humor these two are capable of. Everything that comes out of her mouth is laugh out loud funny. Her story arc is the funniest of the group. Without Pell, the film loses a big portion of the charm it has.
Make no mistake about it, there’s a lot of charm in Wine Country. At some points it tries to be Bridesmaids, other times it borders on a Wes Anderson film (a lot to do with Jason Schwartzman). It even throws a bit of Sideways (another Napa Valley centered film) into the mix. All of those previously mentioned films and styles are great models for Poehler to use in the film.
Wine Country is not a rom-com. It’s more of a coming of age film. Think of it as an elder version of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (fitting as the film makes a slight joke at its expense). While it’s far from a masterpiece, the message the film carries and casting make it one of the most heartwarming movies of 2019. Overall, a solid directorial debut for Amy Poehler.
There’s a difference between good and great. Wine Country falls more on the good side. There are some redeeming scenes in this film. The acting isn’t too bad, although, a lot more depth needed to be brought to the characters. Above all else, it’s a feel-good picture with a solid message.
The main theme around Wine Country is you’re never too old to close the book on yourself. Change can be a good thing, no matter how old you get. The characters in the film all experience change, go through hardships, have some sort of issue plaguing them. It’s the bond they share with each other that brings them out of it.
As previously mentioned, the characters in the film seem rather bland. There’s not much development throughout the film. Sure, each woman figures out their issue, though, the film doesn’t do a great job of conveying the need to address them. Aside from one or two characters, you don’t really care about some of the women’s storylines.
It’s not all bad for the cast of ladies. The chemistry between them is superb. Perhaps because a lot of these women have worked with Poehler before. Names like Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, all star in the film. Others such as Ana Gasteyer Paula Pell, and Jason Schwartzman, add to the chemistry. The highlight of the cast is Pell, who brings a comedic side that none in the film can match.
The casting of Pell was a home run for Poehler. She’s worked with Poehler on Saturday Night Live as a writer, and Fey on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. She understands the kind of humor these two are capable of. Everything that comes out of her mouth is laugh out loud funny. Her story arc is the funniest of the group. Without Pell, the film loses a big portion of the charm it has.
Make no mistake about it, there’s a lot of charm in Wine Country. At some points it tries to be Bridesmaids, other times it borders on a Wes Anderson film (a lot to do with Jason Schwartzman). It even throws a bit of Sideways (another Napa Valley centered film) into the mix. All of those previously mentioned films and styles are great models for Poehler to use in the film.
Wine Country is not a rom-com. It’s more of a coming of age film. Think of it as an elder version of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (fitting as the film makes a slight joke at its expense). While it’s far from a masterpiece, the message the film carries and casting make it one of the most heartwarming movies of 2019. Overall, a solid directorial debut for Amy Poehler.
Image Source: WTOP.com via Netflix
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