Wine Country
(2019)Amy Poehler directs and leads this Netflix comedy about a group of longtime pals celebrating a 50th birthday at many, many wineries. However, the two-decade-strong friendship carries tensions from the past that resurface during the boozy getaway.
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Directed by Amy Poehler
Starring Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, Paula Pell, Emily Spivey, Jason Schwartzman, Tina Fey
Written by Emily Spivey, Liz Cackowski
Produced by Amy Poehler, Carla Hacken, Morgan Sackett
Out Now (On-Demand,
DVD or Blu-Ray)
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 1 providers
Flicks Review
BY Sarah Voon Flicks Writer
Usually, I love an ensemble comedy, being especially partial to co-cast member and first-time feature director Amy Poehler’s (of Parks and Recreation) particular blend of upbeat, dorky and deadpan. Six strong women (seven if you include Tina Fey—TINA FEY!) with serious comedy kudos between them promised me a tummy ache and sore cheeks from laughing hard. Instead, like a sneeze that never happens, I was wholly unsatisfied even though I kept searching for the light.... More
The not-unlikely premise of Wine Country—a group of 50-year-old (give or take) women on a wine-soaked girls weekend in the Napa Valley to celebrate their reluctant mate Rebecca’s (Rachel Dratch) 50th birthday—was appealing in its rare representation of this age and gender group. Unfortunately, the characters never develop from tedious stereotypes, with uber-organiser Abby (Poehler) pouring her frustration with losing her job into scheduling exhausting itineraries for the event, busy mum Naomi (Maya Rudolph) excited to get a break from her kids, and workaholic Catherine (Ana Gasteyer) who can’t relax and put her phone down. Raunchy smartass Val (Paula Pell) provides (almost) comic relief organising “Dickmas”—personality-matching dildo gifts—for all at a restaurant (cringe) and the least memorable character Jenny (Emily Spivey) who wasn’t going to turn up, but then did, surprising everyone. Hilarious.
With Abby’s tight itinerary having everyone hopping from one chardonnay to the next on the party bus (featuring cute but repetitive singalongs), various beefs and conflicts arise eventually causing small implosions within the friendships. Tammy (Tina Fey) the widowed owner of their accommodation provides surly deadpan to all the girly antics, and Miss Sunshine (Cherry Jones) turns up as a kind of mean Tarot card reader, both performances causing me to question whether the casting could have benefitted from everyone swapping roles.
I’m the first person to endorse and admire women of any age letting loose with their friends, uncensored and with full joie de vivre, but if you’ve ever worked in hospitality you would understand the urge to call in sick if you knew this group was booked into your place of employ. The stellar cast couldn’t save this comedy from falling flat, culminating in a sadly missed opportunity.Hide
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Wine Country
The Press Reviews
There are hints of a complex varietal in the Napa-set lark, but mainly it's a fizzy blend of dependable ingredients: seasoned comedy talents and an episodic story that, despite glimmers of anarchy, sticks to a reassuring comfort zone. Full Review
"Wine Country" is quaffable enough. If pressed to supply my own tasting notes, I might describe the blend as unwieldy but not unpleasant, sometimes acid to the point of bitterness (the tartest lines go to Amy Poehler, who also directed). Full Review
The scripted lines rarely zing, sing or sting (some seem improvised), but when the performers fall down or screw up their faces, you get to watch them fill in their characters with something like real feeling... Full Review
Star Amy Poehler's directing debut about six female friends on a weekend break in Napa trips up on its journey from silly to soul-searching. No matter. Poehler seems to think that the pleasure of their company is enough. She's right. Full Review
Wine Country is scrappy and, at times, misjudged but it's also very, very funny with a cast of women whose collective charm makes the patchier moments forgivable. Full Review
Despite having only one character trait apiece, the cast each slip into their semi-fictionalised roles as comfortably as a trusty longline cardigan. If only there were a bit of edge on show. Full Review
"Wine Country" offers Netflix subscribers an excuse to stay in, uncork, and toast a comedian who's taking the next step in her career. Full Review
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