Is All In This Tea Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2007)

📖 The Core Premise

All In This Tea stands as a 2007 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Documentary landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "During the 1990s, David Lee Hoffman searched throughout China for the finest teas. He's a California importer who, as a youth, lived in Asia for years and took tea with the Dali Lama. Hoffman's mission is to find and bring to the U.S. the best hand picked and hand processed tea. This search takes him directly to farms and engages him with Chinese scientists, business people, and government officials: Hoffman wants tea grown organically without a factory, high-yield mentality. By 2004, Hoffman has seen success: there are farmer's collectives selling tea, ways to export "boutique tea" from China, and a growing Chinese appreciation for organic farming's best friend, the earthworm."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. The performance by David Lee Hoffman is a highlight, bringing a palpable intensity to the screen. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is All In This Tea worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, All In This Tea is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of 70 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.