THIS is a tale about wine but, more importantly, it explores the disastrous effects of its over-consumption.

Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church star as college friends Miles and Jack, who resolve to spend a week touring the Californian wine region and playing golf before Jack gets married.

For struggling writer Miles, the trip represents an opportunity to break free from his mundane existence and the cloud of depression that has engulfed him since his recent divorce. But for Jack, it's the chance to sow his wild oats one last time and to say farewell in style to bachelorhood.

Part of the film's downfall is the fact it's hard to warm to either character since both are repulsive in appearance and personality and become more so the more wine they consume.

Jack, an ageing, philandering rogue, is the opposite to the depressive, inward-looking Miles, who appears to have a severe case of "sour grapes" throughout.

Miles is miserable even when gentle, pretty waitress Maya incredibly shows an interest. But their shared passion for wine is never quite believable and fails to rouse any excitement.

Laughs are few and far between in this film, which appears to be an intoxicating experience only for its main characters.

CS