Elijah must balance his dream of becoming a master sommelier with his father's expectations that he carry on the family's Memphis BBQ joint.
Acting
Mamoudou Athie's quiet desperation hits like a full-bodied red.
Writing
Prentice Penny's script treats Black middle-class life as ordinary, radical.
Cinematography
Memphis smoke vs. French vineyards: every frame contrasts two worlds.
Director
Prentice Penny
Mamoudou Athie
Elijah
Courtney B. Vance
Louis
Niecy Nash-Betts
Sylvia
Matt McGorry
Harvard
Sasha Compère
Tanya
Gil Ozeri
Richie
Kelly Jenrette
Brenda
Bernard David Jones
JT
Meera Rohit Kumbhani
Leann
Jennifer Pierce Mathus
Albert Bichot Worker
Hélène Cardona
French Sommelier (voice)
Djinda Kane
Melanie
Rick Vyper
Master Sommelier #3
Kregg Janke
Teacher #4
Wilfried Capet
Guy
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
One of few films centered on Black wine culture; Prentice Penny drew from his own father's BBQ legacy in South Central LA.
Mamoudou Athie trained with actual master sommeliers and can now blind-taste like his character—method acting meets actual useful skill.
US
