“Pinot needs constant care and attention.” A wine made with a lot of care tastes the best and lasts long as a best seller. Love is like wine. Love can last long and hold its true feelings only if the couple truly cares about each other and listens to each other.

Two men reaching middle age, Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church), embark on a road trip through Santa Barbara, a place famous for California’s wines. The original plan was to have a wine and golf trip. However, the two are totally different characters. While the wine buff Miles enjoys visiting many different wineries, Jack searches for some hot girls he can have a fling with before his marriage.

Miles is a “loser,” in other words, not a special superstar. He is very like his favorite type of wine, pinot noir; delicate, fickle, soft and needs caring. He is an introverted person who finally finds his perfect match, Maya (Virginua Madsen). Her eyes tell she is listening and caring for Miles, and every word she spits out of her mouth seems to hold some insightful thoughts. This choice of characters draws the audience in the film because of its plausibility and reality.

The comparison between the two characters in aspects of relationships to women is reflected in the many different perspectives describing and expressing wine throughout the film. Miles and Maya share some in-depth thoughts about what is “meant by a bottle of wine.” Maya offers her opinion on ‘61 Cheval Blanc, “Because a bottle of wine is actually alive, it’s constantly evolving and gaining complexity.” The relationship between the two is similar to this wine.

On the other hand, a bottle of wine can suddenly make the sparks fly between total strangers. With the help of drinking some wine, Jack has an affair with Stephanie and they make out. The wine that represents these two does not hold any special meaning other than alcohol and enjoyment.

It is just so amazing how the two totally different men can still be friends despite going through many conflicts. Even though wine is the main subject of this film, it refers to many themes such as friendship and love. Nevertheless, the film seems like a low-budget flic, which could have been improved to make the wine look more luxurious by setting the story in Paris, a place that ‘61 Cheval Blanc could go well with.

Maya says, “Every time I open a bottle, it’s going to taste different than if I had opened it on any other day.” Just as the wine will taste different depending on the date it is opened, so will the film feel different to you depending on when you watch it. Definitely the film will put a smile on your face.

▲ Official poster from Naver Movie