Year of the Comet (1992)

The overcomplicated plot of this Romancing the Stone rip-off, which had brief theatrical exposure last spring, revolves around a rare bottle of wine and the full-bodied connoisseur (Penelope Ann Miller) who discovers it hidden away in a Scottish castle. Her stunning find, known as the Year of the Comet, ferments trouble, however. Soon she's fighting off sour grapes collectors and an evil research scientist (Louis Jourdan), not to mention the romantic advances of an Indiana Jones clone (Tim Daly of the TV sitcom Wings). Despite lots of action, beautiful European scenery, and a mildly amusing screenplay by William Goldman (The Princess Bride), The Year of the Comet never builds excitement. It just slowly rambles from one manufactured crisis to another, and even fast-forwarding can't pick up the pace. Daly does his best to radiate rugged charm, and Miller isn't unpalatable as a wine expert who's a novice at love. But in the end, this isn't an especially good Year. C+

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