Podcast | ‘Wine Country’ Episode Recap

Hosts Jonathan C. Legat, Tricia Legat and producer Michael Noens review the Netflix film Wine Country, directed by Amy Poehler, while imbibing a fruity white wine cocktail of Moscato, gin, and peach schnapps. The discussion centered on the film's humor, its reflection of real-life issues, and the talent of its primarily Saturday Night Live cast and crew.

The hosts praise the film as "absolutely hilarious" and "full of extremely quotable and real moments." While Wine Country features many SNL veterans, Jonathan notes that the characters do not go to the "extreme SNL" level, allowing for deeply moving, serious moments alongside the comedy. In addition to on-camera alumni, former SNL writing staff members Paula Pell and Emily Spivvy get to shine on screen in this directorial debut for Poehler.

They ultimately describe it as a coming-of-age film, focused on women "coming of the age of 50."

The hosts debate the amount of improvisation, concluding that the film was likely "pretty well scripted," but gave actors opportunities to improvise. The sharp writing will pleasantly surprise the viewer at every turn.

Characters and Their Real-Life Struggles

The trip is organized for Rachel Dratch's character, Rebecca, to celebrate her 50th birthday, though she is initially in denial about the milestone. As it turns out, the film is loosely based on actual trips taken by the SNL women.

Each main character is dealing with a significant personal issue during the weekend trip to Napa Valley:

• Abby (Amy Poehler): Based on Poehler herself, Abby is an obsessive planner who creates a strict itinerary, often frustrating her friends. She also experiences an emotional breakdown over losing her job.
• Rebecca (Rachel Dratch): The birthday girl who is in denial about turning 50 and whose husband is an "asshole".
• Naomi (Maya Rudolph): She is dealing with the fear of a potential breast cancer diagnosis after receiving mammogram results. She also performs in a Prince cover band called "Princess".
• Catherine (Anna Gasteyer): A workaholic who feels ostracized by the group because she is too busy to hang out and attend girls' weekends.
• Val (Paula Pell): A people-pleaser who is trying to find love but focuses more on others' feelings than her own. A memorable physical gag involves her "new knees," which allow her to act like a gymnast early on, only for her to tumble down a hill later in the film.

The film effectively uses un-explained inside jokes and shared language to show how long the friends have known each other, tracing their bond back to when they all worked at a pizza place. The film illustrates the difficulty of friends maintaining closeness and getting together as they age.

Notable Scene Details and Supporting Cast

The hosts highlight several memorable moments from the film, including the accurate portrayal of passionate sommeliers in the Napa vineyards where the group's less-than-enthusiastic reaction to the wine tasting experience is cited as a funny, relatable moment.

Another standout scene involves the group of friends confronting a young waitress (played by Emily Spivvy) in what they call a "millennial intervention," where they express anger at the younger generation's confidence and easy access to things like internet pornography.

Tina Fey makes an appearance as the property owner, described as a lonely groundskeeper. Due to scheduling, Fey's role is limited to only a few brief, but funny interactions. Serving as the host of the getaway, Devin (Jason Schwartzman) often steals the screen as he awkwardly tries to involve himself in the group while making a paella.

Despite the negative reviews from Cinema Blend, Slate, and a Rotten Tomatoes summary, the hosts maintain that Wine Country is a "wonderful film."

Episode Beverage Pairing

Ingredients

• 1 ounce gin
• 1 ounce peach schnapps
• 4 ounces moscato wine
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• strawberries (optional)