The conceit of a son reluctant to follow in his father’s footsteps is familiar, but the juxtaposition of the worlds of wine and barbecue lend Uncorked a fresh spin. The film isn’t without its flaws, but they’re all forgivable in light of how well it hits the feel-good bullseye. Laughter and tears aren’t mutually exclusive in life, nor are they here, as the story of a young man pursuing his passion for wine rather than take over his father’s barbecue restaurant threads the needle of being believable, emotionally engaging, and fulfilling. The film, directed and written by Prentice Penny ( Insecure), is a drama rather than a comedy, but the performances, helped along by Penny’s knack for dialogue, feel so human that the distinction feels irrelevant. Uncorked, now on Netflix, made me laugh out loud three or four times. The ability to make someone laugh out loud is rare.
