No. 54 (2021) FROM THE VINE July 3rd.

 

Film No. 54 (2021) July 3rd.  12:50 PM  FENWICK CINEMAS Cine 3,  Esperance.

"The answer lies in service, in something other than yourself" (Mark goes to confession in his old home town and receives some advice from the resident priest).

Here is a nice film. There is not a lot of drama (the family arguments are merely fluff), every character is likeable and the the punchline is predictable and pleasing enough. I'm just not sure FROM THE VINE adds up to much. Actually, I know it doesn't, but like a $15 bottle of red, the blend is smooth enough but along with its label, soon forgotten!

Director Sean Cisterna has the reputation for telling heartfelt stories based on real events (FULL OUT, KISS AND CRY). He's reviewed well but rarely seen on big screens other than in his native Canada.  FROM THE VINE is also a small story but this time with an international flavour. Successful CEO, Mark Gentile (Joe Pantoliano) trades his corporate life for the simplicity of Italian grape country, his birth place.

The mix of English and subtitles gives the film a genuine feel, but the innocuous way Mark uproots himself from family and firm (engaging in light conversation with wife Marina (Wendy Crewson)and daughter Laura (Paula Brancati) who unconvincingly act shocked) doesn't gel. It's hard for an audience to buy their antics. Meanwhile Mark stands amongst his singing, talking vines (yes, another obscure film tangent) becoming more and more convinced his future life is right there in rural Italy. 

So the family joins him. There is a shouting match or two as Marina and Laura plead for him to snap out of his mid-life crisis. But sure enough there is an hypnotic appeal to this postcard village. The locals begin to rely on Mark's entrepreneurial endeavours in bringing his family vineyard back to life. Mark and family are embraced. Western city life fades... you know the rest. It's all very nice and cosy, but nothing too memorable. Made in 2019; pre COVID. Maybe this is the reason it is striking so many chords with audiences world wide. 7GUMS.