By Shane Conto
Tradition! The themes of one’s family traditions clashing with their hopes and dreams has been told for as long as there have been stories. Whether you think of the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof which famously opens to a classic song about the traditions of one’s community or to the countless tales of a child turning away from the path laid by their parents, this type of story can be so relatable. Everyone has those expectations of a community or family that dictate the groundwork for their lives. Stories like this are told through film all the time and honestly Netflix is taking on this particular story a lot this week. You have the new limited series Unorthodox about a young woman who runs from her arranged marriage and her Orthodox Jewish community to find her own path as a musician. And now we are here to discuss the story of one young man who wants to be a master sommelier (as someone who knows nothing of alcohol, I discovered this has to do with wine) and avoid the family owned Memphis BBQ destiny. Uncorked takes this traditional story filled with tropes and adds great performances and emotion.
Mamoudou Athie gets the opportunity to shine in a leading role with this film as he portrays our protagonist. Athie shows range as he develops a budding romantic relationship, comes to emotional blows with his father, shares his passions in wine, and grips with the emotional weight of unexpected family grief. The performance is strong as he balances all of these emotions in a relatable and real performance. There is a great future for this young actor and I hope he gets more opportunities like this. Speaking of his father, Courtney B. Vance gives a powerful performance as he balances his strong will to continue his family’s legacy while trying to find a ground to stand on in his relationship with his son. The performance has presence and I looked forward to seeing him every time he showed up on screen. Vance is a great actor who has flown under the radar a long time while giving strong supporting performances, similar to his small role in this years Photograph. Niecy Nash comes to play as well turning in a passionate and warm performance as Athie’s mother. The humor of most of her performances is still there but the dramatic aspects of her relationship are a welcomed addition.
In addition to the excellent performances, Uncorked brings it with the directing. Prentice Penny has a steady hand in his direction. The film is soulful and well crafted as the pacing keeps the audience engaged through all the slower character moments. When you have a story that is by-the-numbers, these technical aspects are so essential to making a film that stands out. There are inspired shots that help build the tension of the story as one particular scene of grief embodies the essence of what Penny is trying to bring to his film. Penny takes a story that is generally predictable and standard in many ways and brings it to a higher level through his leading hand behind the camera and how he leads his talented cast.
With streaming becoming the main medium of consuming film, Netflix Originals will continue to gain “share of mind and focus”. If I can speak to some of those films that deliver with quality stories and filmmaking, I will continue to do so. Prentice Penny delivers a strong film centered around relatable human drama that is anchored with inspired performances. Take the time to hop onto Netflix and pop open Uncorked.