1.) Which wines can we identify each of the four main characters? Obviously, we can identify Miles with pinot noir for most of the film, but what about the other characters: Jack, Maya, and Stephanie?
2.) Is Miles strictly a "pinot noir?" Or is he more complicated than that? If so, in what ways to his choices in wine and food identify his internal struggle?
3.) The film is a travel/road trip narrative, how can we use Miles and Jack's road trip to track their personal/psychological journeys?
4.) What do you make of the scene towards the end of the film where Miles drinks his bottle of '61 Cheval Blanc in the fast food restaurant? Does it mirror any other scenes? Is it useful in identifying his character, if so in what ways? Or do you think there is some other significance?
The circular road trip (or un-actual road trip) nature of the journey may be part of the point since breaking out of their long held character traits is their main challenge. We seemed to agree Miles was heading toward a possible breakout of the qualities holding him back, but Jack seems completely unable to reflect long enough on his actions to ever even actually see and recognize them.
ReplyDeleteZack, these are great questions and puts mine to shame. I never thought about the wine matching each character. Which leads me to ask, "since Miles was holding onto the 61 Cheval Blanc do think that is what his wife represented?" He did say that he was saving it for their wedding anniversary but since the divorce he was just holding onto like he was holding onto idea of loving his ex-wife.
ReplyDeleteI think you have it spot on here. The scene at the fast food joint drinking the '61 came off, for me, as his second wind of sorts. He was definitely holding on to the idea of his ex-wife. You don't drunk dial an ex if you are really over them. After he drinks the '61 though he seems to relax and accept the fact that his life is the way it is and he should start living it for the future and not the past.
DeleteIm in the same boat, this is really interesting to think about each character as a wine. Upon second thought it really does seem fitting, and makes me wonder if that was intentional on the part of the creator.
DeleteAs for the scene where he drinks the bottle of wine I think it might signify maybe the situation he was in which was not the best and fast food places are not the best and maybe the reason he drank it there was in his mind he has nothing at the time to celebrate but that.
ReplyDeleteI felt that moment represented defeat in a way. Both good and bad.
Delete