From the Vine

It is hard to understand where those few very negative reviews came from. This is a nice, if unspectacular, movie about a 60-something man, very successful, who decides to jump out of the corporate rat race and reconnect with his roots in Italy.

Joe Pantoliano, who was so good as the villain in 'The Matrix', is Marco Gentile (pronounced genn-TEE-lay). One day he just quits work and buys two tickets to Italy. His wife is totally blindsided and stays home but Marco looks up his deceased grandfather's estate. The vineyards are mostly neglected and one winemaker produces a small amount each year.

This movie is about Marco rejuvenating his life and in the process his family relationships too. This is not a deep movie, the rigors of getting workers, tending to a vineyard and making excellent wine are treated superficially. However it is a nice, heartwarming, entertaining story.

I found it streaming on Amazon Prime.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film. It had just the right balance of whimsy and realism. The scenes of Italy were just beautiful and will make you want to at least visit an Italian vineyard. The acting, the dialog were fine, no complaints. Not every film has to be a masterpiece. I just want to enjoy what I watch and this one had me smiling all the way through.

Heartfelt and sometimes funny; "From The Vine" finds Joe Pantoliano in fine form but it's premise leaves you thirsty for more.

In this comedy-drama, a man with an ethical crisis travels back to his hometown in rural Italy to revive his grandfather's vineyard.

An overall cute family dramedy, but "From The Vine" doesn't always hit the mark you'd expect. Although Pantoliano really shines in this role, he is seemingly loveable and always manages to put a smile on your face. Beautiful landscapes and what seems to be savoury wine, this film will make you thirsty but will leave you wanting more out of the characters and storyline.

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From the Vine was a great experience for me, as an immigrant from South Western europe, the locales of the small Italian town reminded me of my childhood in an endearing way. The way that the townsfolk behave compared to the way Joe Pantoliano's character perceives his environment draws a great contrast and emphasizes on that distinction between the locals and the local who has become a stranger and returned back to their home a changed man.

On the more technical side, the film is admirable to say the least. The warm colour pallette evokes a true feeling of calmness and of pleasure in existence. The small Italian town that hosts most of the films scenes appears to be an oasis in the desert of modern living. Through color light and shadow, the cinematographer gives the town the ability to become one more character in the story.

I recommend the film to people of all ages and i would encourage families to watch it together with their loved ones. This story of dreams and of "reverse Immigration" is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a curiousity to explore your family's lineage.

A US executive (Joe Pantoliano) moves to Italy to reopen his grandfathers vineyard.

I liked Russell Crowe's "A Good Year" and thought this would be equally charming and engaging but this is really a poor imitation.

Weak plot, poorly executed and not even the beautiful Italian language and landscape can save this one.