NETFLIX Review: 'Wine Country' dead on the vine

Netflix, 2019.

Even Babe Ruth struck out...Michael Jordan had occasional air-balls. So I won't hold it against the super-talented, usually-hilarious Amy Poehler, but her directorial debut, "Wine Country" is pretty terrible.

Grade: D

Amy Poehler directs and stars in this new Netflix girls trip comedy, a group of comedians whose mere presence alone demands a better film. One of the gals is turning 50, so Abby (Poehler) arranges for them to hit Napa Valley. But it's all sour grapes from there.

Fellow SNL alums Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph and Rachel Dratch are part of the entourage, and Poehler's partner-in-crime Tina Fey even shows up (I didn't think it was possible for Fey to NOT be funny, but that's exactly what happens). The group is rounded out by the very funny Paula Pell and Emily Spivey (who also co-wrote), who seemed trapped in a movie that doesn't do them any justice.

The characters are bland and clichéd, the writing is sub-par, and the movie goes nowhere fast. With recent movies like "Bridesmaids" and "Girls Trip" raising the bar as to what a female-driven ensemble comedies can be, "Wine Country" falls flat and will be forgotten shortly after...a good thing for all involved.

There are sporadic bits of humor, but mainly the whole movie just feels like one big inside joke, made for their own benefit, that isn't all that funny. "Wine Country" has the right look and feel, but this one is sure to leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Grade: D

Genre: Comedy.
Run Time: 1 hour 43 minutes.
​Rated R.

Starring: Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, Paula Pell, Emily Spivey, Emily Spivey, Jason Schwartzman, Cherry Jones.

Directed by Amy Poehler (feature-film directorial debut).

"Wine Country" is available on Netflix starting Friday, May 10th, 2019.