Sideways

Cast: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Sandra Oh, Virginia Madsen
Director: Alexander Payne
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rated: M 15+ sex scenes, frequent coarse language, sexual references, alcohol and depression themes
Running Time: 127 Minutes

Winner 2005 **Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy**
Golden Globes **Best Screenplay - Motion Picture**

In Search Of Wine. In Search Of Women. In Search Of Themselves.

Synopsis:
Writer-director Alexander Payne's fourth feature film (following 'Citizen Ruth', 'Election' and 'About Schmidt') starts with two old friends setting off ona wine-tasting road trip . . . only to veer dizzily SIDEWAYS into a wry, comedic exploration of the crazy vicissitudes of love and friendship, the damnable persistence of loneliness and dreams and the enduring war between Pinot and Cabernet.

The misadventures begin when Miles (Paul Giamatti), an un-recovered divorcé and would-be novelist with a wine fixation, decides to gift his old college buddy and washed-up actor Jack (Thomas Haden Church) with a celebratory trip to the vineyards of the Central Coast the week before Jack's wedding. The two couldn't be an odder couple. Jack is an over-sexed charmer; Miles is a sad-sack worrier. Jack is looking for his "last taste of freedom;" Miles is just hoping to not get even more depressed. Jack is fine with cheap Merlot; Miles pines for the perfect Pinot. Indeed, the only thing they seem to share in common is the same heady mix of failed ambitions and fading youth.

And yet, as they make their way up the coast, Miles and Jack soon find themselves drowning in wine and women (Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen) and with the wedding approaching the question remains whether Miles and Jack will make it back to Los Angeles unscathed or unchanged . . . if they get there in one piece at all.

My Verdict:
Based on Rex Pickett's novel of the same name, 'Sideways' is an absolutely charming and delightful movie that will have you crying with laughter and crying with tears as the two lead characters take you on their journey of self-discovery. Miles (Paul Giamatti), and Jack (Thomas Haden Church) were college roommates, which is about as much as they have ever had in common yet they remain friends enough that Jack has chosen Miles to be his best man at this approaching wedding. Miles gives Jack a gift of a week's holiday before his impending nuptials and they venture to wine country to taste good wines, play golf and just lay back and relax. But, they will have the week of their lives on this road trip buddy movie, which is one never to be forgotten for a variety of reasons, least of which is the eye-opening lessons they will learn about each other.

Miles as the depressed, divorced, wine-adoring member and Jack as the free-spirited, fun loving, has-been actor, pair up and prove that opposites really do attract. The more we get to know them, the more it seems impossible that they could ever have remained friends as it really seems like there is absolutely nothing in common between the two. And yet, they share something that keeps them together almost like blood relatives. The pair has some truly hilarious experiences, some intimate moments with their new love interests, played so wonderfully by Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen, and share some slapstick comedy that isn't too far out of the boundaries of believability.

Excellent character development is ripened with the ever increasing droll and witty dialogue from Miles, and the naïve and innocent Jack. It is impossible not feel empathetic to either of the characters, even if you don't agree with either of their philosophies. Much of the story is set amongst vineyards; wine tasting, the golf course, the local restaurant and some great moments are even shared in Miles and Jack's motel room. Watch out for an unforgettable scene as Jack sows wild oats with one of the local waitresses.

'Sideways' is a tour-de-force that is simply brilliant, hilarious, unforgettable and definitely a vintage not to miss.

Rating : A+

Christina Bruce