Netflix Summary:
When longtime friends meet up for a wine-soaked birthday getaway in Napa Valley, their perfectly planned weekend turns messier by the minute.
FYA Summary:
A group of friends who met while waitressing at a Chicago pizza joint in their 20’s get together to celebrate one of them turning 50. They reconnect over drunken shenanigans while staying in a vacation rental in Napa. Wine Country is directed by Amy Poehler, and how smart is she? What could be better than getting your favorite funny people together in Napa to film a movie?
Familiar Faces:
Amy Poehler as Abby
Amy plays Abby, the organizer of their trip who’s made a detailed itinerary for the weekend, including a shared photo site, and a winery shuttle playlist. This reminds me of someone I know. Who does this remind me of? Unlike my group, Abby’s friends are not nearly grateful enough to have someone who makes all their dinner and wine tour reservations so they can drink without worrying about anything.
Maya Rudolph as Naomi
Naomi has four kids. She really needs this weekend. And she’s ready to throw herself into this trip, especially since she’s going through a health scare that she’s in a bit of denial about. Is there anyone funnier than Maya Rudolph? I think not.
Ana Gasteyer as Catherine
The most successful member of the group, Catherine is a workaholic who struggles to unplug for the weekend. Unfortunately, she has the unforgivable habit of dictating emails into her phone in public when she should be focusing on drinking with her friends.
Rachel Dratch as Rebecca
Rebecca is the birthday girl and a therapist, married to what is universally agreed upon to be the worst husband ever. Rebecca is more scared of facing her 50th birthday than she likes to admit, and I feel this deeply, as someone who never intends to turn 50 herself.
Paula Pell as Val
Paula is most famous for being a TV comedy writer for SNL, Sisters, the Oscars, lots of other projects. Here she plays Val, the one in the group who makes friends with every stranger they encounter, including their hot waitress, Jade, who makes exceptionally pretentious and yet questionable art.
Couch-Sharing Capability: Party Bus
Bottles of wine, wine puns, hot tubs, fire pits, dance parties, Maya Rudolph on a drunken tangent about Prince, tarot card readings. Sharing a couch with your besties is the next best thing to sharing a wine shuttle with them.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Is this a trick question?
Alllll the wine, friends. I mean, why would you do anything else? This is the only way to survive the intense jealousy of watching these ladies go through dozens of bottles of wine in beautiful Napa without us. But please remember to hydrate. We’re not as young as we used to be.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Free Vacation
Wine Country has lovely things to say about the value of friendships and what it’s like to get older, whether you feel that old or not. I felt a lot lighter after going through a weekend (and a bottle of wine) in Napa with these hilarious ladies. I hope you do, too! Doesn’t your soul need that? Also, who doesn’t need some sage wisdom from a surprise Tina Fey?
Already seen Wine Country? Tag yourself in the comments! I’m the friend who never sets that wine bottle down.
