Higher Love (2001)

This movie falls into that group of initially obnoxious "coming of age" films that has numerous characters that have either zero understanding of what their life can offer them, or they have come to a complete understanding with the universe, and are happily content, but unwilling to offer the serious smack to the head that the others require. It takes a while to get anywhere, especially with the two main characters both completely blind to everything around them that isn't squarely in their plans for themselves. Naturally, for the viewer, it quickly becomes obvious that they are squandering great potentials, but the joy of this movies is in the journey, not the destination.Character development is the key here, not a grouping of pre-designed archetypes that are ready to hand you their life story and purpose in one single bit of dialogue. Especially noteworthy is the quirky uncle that seems hell-bent upon destroying anything of monetary value, but actually has himself firmly set upon his path to spiritual enlightenment. The siblings that are each trying to figure themselves out are equally good, although the viewer is generally ready to scream at them by the movie's midpoint.The bottom line is that this is not a casual movie to pick up when you don't have other plans, and are looking for "anything". Be prepared to pay attention to it and enjoy the entire movie, not just the beginning and the end. It demands that you follow the characters in just as befuddled a state as they seem to be, until you reach the end, and recognize the true genius of the trip.

I picked this up mostly because I like many of the films that Minnie Driver has played. However 'Uncorked' (the video title of 'On Sachem Farm') is not a vehicle to showcase what she does, and she doesn't do that great at that. I would have liked to know a lot more about Laurie (Amelia Heinle), and less of Kendal (Minnie Driver). I felt the 'Matrix'-like special effects distracted in almost every case -- especially the 3-4 scene subliminal montage as Laurie looks through the telescope at the garden (twice!). Continuity, pacing, and plain effective story telling were weaker than I had expected. I did like the video overall. 5.5/10

Question: Why does a holy man sit alone atop a mountain? Answer: To gain perspective. Which in the end is what this film is all about-- finding the right perspective on life; figuring out what it is you were truly meant to do or be. And it points out nicely that the wisest among us are often the very ones we are prone to ignore or dismiss out-of-hand. `Uncorked ("At Sachem Farm"),' directed by John Huddles, is a small film that in the end has a substantial message that is almost profound in it's simplicity. Nothing new, perhaps, but something that so many people in our fast food generation fail to recognize or embrace, so this film actually serves as something of a wake-up call to those who have unknowingly lost that all-important perspective, and need it--whether they know it or not. The story takes place at Sachem Farm (which could be anywhere in the world), where Ross (Rufus Sewell) lives with his Uncle Cullen (Nigel Hawthorne) and his brother, Paul (Michael Rodgers), though Paul is something of a hermit and prefers to live in the forests and fields that surround the farm, cultivating gardens out of the wilderness. Ross's girlfriend, Kendal (Minnie Driver), along with her friend, Laurie (Amelia Heinle) arrives for a stay at a very interesting time: Ross is about to conclude a deal that will finance his dream of buying and working a nearby magnesium mine, in which he sees his future and fortune awaiting. Circumstances instigated by Uncle Cullen, however, interfere; the situation turns bad, then gets worse, with the arrival of a pillar-- specially ordered by Cullen and standing at a height of twenty cubits (yes, he specifically ordered it in cubits)-- atop which Cullen subsequently takes up residence, without any intention of ever coming back down. The reclusive Paul, meanwhile, continues to work on his gardens, and Kendal encounters an old flame, Tom (Gregory Sporleder), a neighbor and former high-diver whose dreams of gold were abruptly ended some years before by a broken ankle, and who now spends his time at the lake, obsessed with regaining his form. It's an eclectic bunch, to say the least, not to mention eccentric; and Ross feels it has fallen to him to set the lives of those around him aright. To which each, in turn, say to him in their own way: `Good luck.' And such is life on Sachem Farm. Huddles, who also wrote the story and screenplay, has crafted and delivered a quaint, quirky and somewhat insightful film, which he presents rather artistically, though at a pace that leaves something to be desired, at least early on. At times he allows the eye of the camera to roam, lending some quite interesting visual perspectives to the film (such as a moving overhead shot of Cullen atop his pillar), which he combines with different speeds and some jump cuts that are very effective. There are moments, though, when the action seems a bit too `staged,' and makes you aware that these are actors playing parts, which tends to take you out of the story. But there are also moments that are extremely engaging-- often humorous and sometimes rather poignant-- that make the whole experience worthwhile. The early part of the film tends to stall and initially seems in need of a destination, but it finds soon enough, and eventually takes you in a direction that is unexpected, but rewarding. As Cullen, Nigel Hawthorne is subtly flamboyant, creating a very detailed and three-dimensional character who very gradually draws you in as the story unfolds. And, interestingly enough, as the character develops-- and quite nicely-- he doesn't change, though the viewer's perspective of him does; and as that perspective on Cullen shifts, it puts the story in a new light, as well. Slowly, the true meaning of what is happening on Sachem Farm begins to emerge, and that deliberate pace set by Huddles that seemed off-putting at first actually facilitates an understanding of the situation at hand. And Cullen-- especially because of Hawthorne's fine performance-- becomes a pivotal element that gives focus to this new perspective. Huddles may have come up a bit short of attaining the emotional involvement and the connection with the audience to which he aspired, but by the end you realize there was a method to his madness, and it actually worked fairly well. Minnie Driver (who served as executive producer of this film, along with her sister, Kate, as well as Hawthorne), does a good job as Kendal, though you get the feeling her character is there mainly to support the story rather than add to it, and serves primarily as a tool to move it all along, as her connection with Tom-- and even Ross-- is a fairly minor part of the plot. Kendal, as well as Laurie, are the two characters you're left wanting to know more about, in fact. Rufus Sewell gives a good, extremely natural performance as Ross, but it's one of those roles that tends to be taken for granted because it is played so effectively, like DiCaprio in `Titanic' or Gable in `Gone With the Wind.' It's a matter of not receiving the acclaim that is due simply because the job has been done so well. This film is on a much smaller scale, of course, but the situation is the same. And looking at it objectively, Sewell does an outstanding job here. The supporting cast includes Keone Young (Mr. Tang), Elizabeth Tsing (Maya) and Chalvay Srichoom (Cha). They may not have lined up the Oscars for this one, but nevertheless, `Uncorked' has merit in it's subtle message, and for a pleasant diversion is definitely worth a look. Huddles certainly doesn't drive home his point with a hammer, and it may take you a while to digest it all, but after awhile you may find yourself reflecting a bit and saying, `Yeah, okay...I get it--' And that's the magic of the movies. 7/10.

First of all I must admit that I am a great admirer of Rufus Sewell. That was the main reason I couldn't hardly contain myself when this was finally released in the U.S. as Uncorked. I would not however, be so biased as not to include Nigel Hawthorne in this comment.The story was cute, I must say a little girlie, but definitely not like every other movie. Nigel Hawthorne as Uncle Cullen was probably my favorite part of the movie. His ability to be completely impossible to all the other characters, with out making him any less likable was amazing. Of course all the performances were great, his just really stood out.My favorite part of the entire movie though, was within the first five minutes. It was an exchange between the characters Mr. Tan and Ross regarding a straw. It sounds a little strange, but that just cracked me the heck up.Overall I would just like to say that the wait for it to come to the U.S. was totally worth it, and I would recommend it to anyone.