Uncorked is a special kind of film. It combines barbecue, wine, and hip hop all within the first five minutes. Not only do we see (mostly) white people working in a winery in the opening credits, but we also see the black owner of a barbecue joint grinding away on a rack of ribs. As rapper Yo Gotti’s cheekily titled song, “Juice” plays in the background, beautiful close-up shots of grapes, sizzling ribs, unlabeled wine bottles, and red barbecue sauce grace the screen. It is this interplay of cultures that makes the Netflix drama an intriguing food film.
Director and writer, Prentice Penny (Showrunner for Insecure), brings us the story of Elijah (Mamoudou Athie, Sorry for Your Loss), a young black man who balances his time between working at a wine shop and his father’s successful barbecue restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee. Due to his passion for all things wine, Elijah decides to take his career to the next level and goes back to school to become a sommelier. This decision causes all kinds of conflict with his cantankerous father, Louis (Courtney B. Vance, The Photograph), who wants his son to run the family business. But despite his father’s objections, Elijah does everything he can to pursue his dreams.
Thanks in part to the wonderful performances, Elijah’s journey to becoming a sommelier is quite entertaining. Athie’s performance as Elijah is deceptively understated but emotionally resonate. His take on the character is smooth like a glass of merlot. Whether he is serving wine in a two-piece suit or chopping up ribs in a kitchen, the actor looks and acts the part of a sommelier. And his chemistry with Courtney B. Vance is quite enjoyable. Their relationship is believable, surprisingly hilarious at times, and full of nuance. And Niecy Nash’s (Claws) role as Elijah’s supportive mother Sylvia is just as great. Ever the talented comedian and actor, her performance adds so much depth, humor, and heart to the film.
But the one thing that sets Uncorked apart from other films about wine culture is the setting. Instead of showering the film with glossy exteriors of California vineyards and hills like in Sideways and Wine Country, Penny decides to take the viewer on a good ole’ trip to Memphis, Tennessee. As we watch Elijah struggle to reach his goals, we see various southern black staples, including a local blues club and a skating rink. Penny even depicts Paris in a unique way. Sure, we get shots of fancy french cafes and some art museums, but we also see neighborhoods and restaurants that feature people of color.
The music also blends the wildly different worlds quite well. Known for his work in films and television shows such as Insecure and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, music supervisor Kier Lehman effectively incorporates hip hop into the drama. These songs not only connect wine and black culture in an intriguing way, but it also makes the film ridiculously fun. To have Moneybagg Yo’s “Say Na” play against a wine tasting event is just so subversive and cheeky. It is this juxtaposition of high and low culture (though one can argue hip hop is high art) that takes the film to new heights. And the addition of french rap songs like “La Vague” by Phases Cachées during the Paris montage is a nice touch.
Most importantly, it is the inclusion of people of color, notably black people, that makes Uncorked a truly special experience. Most films about food, especially ones about wine and gourmet food, are made by and for white people. And yet, this film is by a black man, stars a black man, and has more than one black actor in it. That is a big deal since most films that feature a predominately black cast tend to veer toward weighty topics like slavery and the civil rights movement. Yes, these types of films have an important place in cinema, but it is great to see black folks enjoying their lives on the screen. And by placing his protagonist into the world of wine, Penny proves that dramas like this one are not just for white people. It is for everyone.
