Joe Pantoliano is one of the most recognisable and versatile acting talents, with a filmography that includes the likes of MIDNIGHT RUN (1988), THE FUGITIVE (1993) and BAD BOYS (1995).
It is always nice when a traditional supporting talents gets centre stage – and so it proves with the new comedy-drama FROM THE VINE.
Adapted from the novel ‘FINDING MARCO‘ by Willem Wennekers, FROM THE VINE is the story of Mark Gentile (Pantoliano), a Canadian-based lawyer who during a key presentation for his company freezes up and quits his job, much to the chagrin of his wife Marina (Wendy Crewson, AIR FORCE ONE) and daughter Laura (Paula Brancati).
Deciding at a moment’s notice to leave the family nest, he heads to Italy and the site of his late grandfather’s vineyard where the locals aren’t too happy to see him again and he has as much knowledge of wine-making as the locals have about legal costs and what-have-you. However, his own dream-like instincts are kicking in, but not before his wife and daughter decide to follow him to see what is going on inside his crisis-laden mind….
Predictable, but gently-realised culture clash comedy-drama with shades of SIDEWAYS, as Pantoliano’s Gentile attempts to piece together the clarity that he needs to survive. You can predict at times where this is going, but that isn’t going to stop you appreciating the joys of Italian rural life which is captured amidst some beautiful cinematography in a very romanticised vision of life amongst the grapes, with references to classic Hollywood homages to Italy throughout that you can sense the participants here will quote and reference as the story unfolds.
Pantoliano is terrific and demonstrates his acting chops as a reliable talent, coupled with good support from Crewson and Brancati who try to come to terms with the change of the seasons.
From The Vine is in UK Cinemas now & on Digital Download
