Uncorked

This could have been a much better movie if it wasn't for that irritating music that played the whole time. Actors were not too bad and story was good.

This is another movie without a lot of spark, no big highs or lows. The story was a bit different for the save-the-company plot device. Actually there was save the company and save the winery.

The early part of the movie included some backstabbing corporate junk which was a little heavier than I'm used to from Hallmark, but I don't think this is Hallmark. Actually there are some moments speaking about faith which is strongly implied as religious faith, although the religion wasn't terribly specific. The family went to church. Other than a scene or two, there wasn't a lot of this.

Julie Benz was a bit too stiff and Scott Elrod was friendly but not overly demonstrative. The chemistry was weak. In fact there was probably more between Benz and the little boy.

The overall story was predictable.

Now we all know what these hallmark romance movies are about. And I must say it is a guilty pleasure when I want heart warming family movie that makes one believe in love. However this movie was sabotaged by the leading actress. You need believability and an innocent spark from each of the leading characters. But this actress came off as flat. No spark. No chemistry. Furthermore her character just kept whining about her career. The movie left me glad she was fired and left me wishing I could have fired her from the leading role. There are so many Bette hallmark movies with the same formula. This one didn't work because of the leading actress.

Romance? Drama? OOOH PLEEEEASE!!!! As far as dramas go, this lacked in every aspect of the genre. The characters were unrealistic not portraying the corporate world but more like department store managers living in a fantasy of having an important job. The life situations may be real but to think real life plays out this way is why little girls grow up and become disappointed in life...this was not real life but fantasies for a trailer trash looser who wants a better life. As soon as you think there is some development and interaction of the characters, this movie spoils it with unlike real life script. I usually come upon scenes in a movie where I say sarcastically "Just like real life" and everyone in the room snaps back to reality and laughs. Every scene in this movie beckoned me to say "Just like real life" A romance? NOT! No emotion or passion. The main characters showed no sign of a romantic, affectionate involvement with each other but centered on a perfect child that never could be found in real life. This was not a journey that love takes through courtship, but a one night stand without the sex. A romance film should make the love story the main plot focus but without the real to life drama, you are left with a failing business being saved by the heroin.

Fantasy is healthy and aids in human development, that is were this movie genre falls into, Fantasy" without true love, feelings or real life situations. Uncorked takes you to that netherworld places where events are unlikely to occur in real life.

Less silly than the usual Hallmark movie this movie has fairly serious people dealing with real problems. A chef single dad and a workaholic financial woman form a friendship as they help each other. More gradual and eyes open than usual. Like the way she isn't that easygoing with his kid. Saving a winery is the task here.

Julie Benz is slightly above the average TV movie standard so she elevates things. Like Jobeth Williams - she should act more.