Rockwood Cinema Review: Wine Country (2019)

Rating: / 5
Length: 1h 43m
Rated: R (really? maybe “mature themes” but…)
Best time to watch: daytime, afternoon

Wine Country (2019), the recently released Netflix movie starring Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer and Maya Rudolph sees these usual suspects from Saturday Night Live alumni take a trip to wine country in Napa Valley, California. A place not unlike your Niagara Region or Prince Edward County (in Ontario), where all the usual pomp and circumstance of the well-to-do wine/art scene meets the trappings of country life. So, it falls neatly into the outdoor movie genre but as a comedy, in some respect, it falls a bit flat. This talented group of females are obviously tight knit but it feels like the audience is not always in on the joke. It’s obviously not to be compared to your raunchy weekend/romp style comedy, like Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) or even your Bridesmaids (2011). Wine Country (2019) deals with more mature themes of women in their 40s and 50s balancing their professional, familial life and ultimately with their own personal friendships.

Sometimes a bit cringeworthy, Wine Country (2019), when it is being jokey and irreverent has some funny moments, particularly Tina Fey as Tammy, the rough and tumble, brutally honest property owner. But if Tina Fey is often the source of much needed comedic relief, you know what calibre of comedy we are dealing with. Mostly enjoyable but sometimes awkward, it’s a mom-drom-com and probably in that order.