Film: Sideways
Cast includes: Paul Giamatti (American Splendor), Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsin, Sandra Oh (Under the Tuscan Sun)
Genre: Comedy (2004)
In brief: Two middle-age friends, Miles and Jack, are going on a week-long tour of California wine country before Jack gets married again on Sunday. In personality, the only thing these two have in common is that they have yet to accomplished their goals in life. Miles is a sad-sack wanna-be-published writer, who loves wine. Jack is a mostly-unemployed actor with the sex drive and maturity level of a high-testosterone teenager. Miles wants to teach Jack about wine. Jack wants to get Miles (and himself) laid. Add in two perfect chicks and stir…
The humor in Sideways comes primarily from the characters. The yucks build gradually as the plot develops, with much of the tension in the movie coming from the push/pull of the characters on each other.
When I first wrote up this film, I thought it would be another under-appreciated little movie. But it struck a cord with the Academy Awards folks. Unfortunately, Oscar buzz can put added pressure on a film to be something it isn’t. I first saw it with no expectations, and I loved it. At it’s heart, it’s just a wonderful little film that got noticed. Too bad more don't.
4 popped kernels
Popped kernels for fun. A lot of laughs. Good story with some wonderful unexpected moments. Excellent performances.
