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Drama

Uncorked (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Uncorked (2020) movie poster

Uncorked is a 2020 drama directed by Prentice Penny, starring Mamoudou Athie as Elijah, Courtney B. Vance and Niecy Nash. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
Echo Score
70
Metascore
62
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Uncorked (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Prentice Penny
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Uncorked About?

The premise of Uncorked without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young man named Elijah aspires to become a master sommelier, a pursuit that clashes with his family’s Memphis barbecue restaurant and his father’s expectations. As he dedicates himself to rigorous training, he grapples with balancing his passion for wine with his familial responsibilities and the restaurant's legacy. Unexpected tragedy forces him to reconsider his priorities and ultimately seek a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment, blending his personal and professional journeys.

Uncorked Themes & Keywords

· 45 tags
  • dream
  • wine
  • ribs
  • african american
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • autism
  • mother daughter relationship
  • brother sister relationship
  • cousin relationship
  • uncle nephew relationship
  • wood
+33 more
  • family business
  • soul food
  • husband wife relationship
  • family restaurant business
  • roller skating
  • sommelier
  • male protagonist
  • exam
  • bare chested male
  • kiss
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • studying
  • wine tasting
  • dancing
  • going away party
  • paris france
  • cancer
  • cookies
  • riding a bicycle
  • tourism
  • painting
  • travel
  • split the money
  • dead mother
  • funeral
  • dead wife
  • showering
  • doughnut
  • test
  • dominoes
  • dog
  • class
  • one word title
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Cast & crew

Uncorked Cast & Characters

Mamoudou Athie leads the cast as Elijah, with Courtney B. Vance as Louis and Niecy Nash as Sylvia. Directed by Prentice Penny; 17 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Uncorked Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Uncorked 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

70 /100

Uncorked Echo Score Breakdown

Uncorked delivers a moderately satisfying drama that balances warmth and familiarity against predictable turns. Several critics praised its engaging family dynamics and charismatic performances, though some noted a reliance on conventional beats. User feedback highlights strong chemistry and a lively soundtrack but also points to occasional pacing issues and formulaic plotting. The film’s feel-good tone and assured direction yield an accessible experience. Ultimately, Uncorked offers a pleasant viewing with limited narrative surprises.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    Art & Craft represents one of the film’s steadier strengths, marked by assured direction and clean production values. Critics note Prentice Penny’s verve in pacing scenes and a consistent feel for local color in set design. The editing keeps beats smooth though the visual palette remains conventional. Overall, the craft is competent and pleasing without offering distinctive stylistic flourishes.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    In terms of character depth, the film benefits from compelling performances that convey relatable ambition and familial tension. Reviewers highlight Mamoudou Athie’s nuanced balance of geniality and frustration and note strong chemistry among the principal trio. The narrative backdrop of socioeconomic pressure adds emotional weight without defining the characters entirely. The result is engaging characterization that resonates even when drama follows familiar beats.

  • Story & Flow 55

    When it comes to story flow, Uncorked often relies on familiar structural beats that curb its originality. Multiple reviews note a predictable, sitcom-like progression and intermittent pacing slowdowns that undercut narrative momentum. Nonetheless, the familial dynamics and lighthearted tone sustain engagement through modest stakes. As a result, the plot remains serviceable but lacks surprising developments.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design form the film’s most vibrant elements. Critics and viewers applaud the upbeat score by Hit Boy and well-timed musical cues that elevate key moments. The visual style is coherent and clean but seldom ventures beyond conventional framing. Overall, the film’s audio driving forces deliver consistent appeal while visuals remain serviceable.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch factor is moderate as the film’s familiarity provides comfort but limits fresh insights. The forgiving tone and uplifting arc make repeat viewings pleasant, according to critics who cite its feel-good impact. User sentiment acknowledges enjoyable performances and a vibrant soundtrack but notes that predictability reduces long-term novelty. In sum, Uncorked offers agreeable rewatch value without extensive discovery on subsequent viewings.

Plot

Uncorked Plot Summary

What happens in Uncorked from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the vibrant city of Memphis, young Elijah finds himself straddling the line between two very different worlds: the cherished barbecue restaurant where his father, Louis, works alongside his mother, Sylvia, and his passion-driven job at an upscale wine business. Despite his growing dedication to wine, Elijah’s father hopes he will inherit the family legacy, leading to a strained relationship as Elijah hesitates to embrace the family’s expectations.

As Elijah shares his ambitions of becoming a sommelier with his family, skepticism abounds, particularly from Louis, who scoffs at what he perceives as mere dreams. However, Sylvia advocates for Elijah’s aspirations, and it’s Tanya, a customer at the wine shop, who truly appreciates Elijah’s fervor, providing encouragement amidst family doubts.

Full summary

The whole story of Uncorked, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Uncorked Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Uncorked.

Uncorked | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Uncorked?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What does Elijah aspire to become?

Details

Uncorked Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Il sommelier” and “Ο Σομελιέ”.

Also known as
  • Il sommelier
  • Ο Σομελιέ
  • Le goût du vin
  • 와인을 딸 시간
  • El sumiller
  • Kto tu jest winny?
  • Nalijme si čistého vína
  • Cata amarga
  • Notas de Rebeldia
  • Babamın Mutfağı
  • 醇美人生
  • בוסר
+4 more
  • Bor, mámor, barbecue
  • Откупоренные
  • Відкорковане
  • บ่มรักสู่ฝัน

Seen Uncorked?

FAQ

Uncorked FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Uncorked, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Uncorked?

Uncorked runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Uncorked released?

Uncorked was released on March 27, 2020.

Who directed Uncorked?

Uncorked was directed by Prentice Penny.

More films by Prentice Penny

Who is in the cast of Uncorked?

Uncorked stars Mamoudou Athie as Elijah, Courtney B. Vance as Louis and Niecy Nash as Sylvia, among 17 credited actors.

How is Uncorked rated?

Uncorked has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Uncorked have a post-credit scene?

No. Uncorked has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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