Sideways on DVD (2005)

A real treat

Philip Concannon from London , 29/01/2005

A road-trip through wine country becomes a voyage of self-discovery for a pair of mismatched buddies in 'Sideways', the latest film from Alexander Payne and unquestionably one of the finest American films of the year

Paul Giamatti takes the lead role of Miles, a teacher and failed novelist in his early forties who has barely come through a painful divorce. He is depressed, filled with self-loathing and has developed a fascination with wine which is teetering on the brink of full-blown alcoholism. Miles' friend Jack is about to get married so he and Miles head out on their 'stag week'. Miles has planned seven days of wine-tasting, golf, good food and relaxation, but Jack has other things on his mind. He simply wants to have as much sex as possible before he commits to one woman.

When Jack hooks up with bartender Stephanie(Sandra Oh) they embark on a one-night stand which develops into a whirlwind romance. But Miles finds it harder to open up and reveal his true feelings for Maya(Virginia Madsen) a divorced waitress who he has admired from a distance for years.

'Sideways' is a perfectly pitched, hilarious and moving film which never falters. Payne and his regular writing partner Jim Taylor have crafted a first-rate screenplay from Rex Pickett's novel, deceptively simple but containing many depths and layers which reveal themselves throughout the film. This is also the best directed film that Payne has made yet, perfectly paced and constantly moving smoothly from knockabout humour to genuine pathos.

However, the real reason 'Sideways' is so successful is down to the performances of its four leads. Church, Madsen and Sandra Oh are superb, all giving the best performances of their career, but this is Giamatti's show. As he did in last year's 'American Splendour' he has managed to take a very unlikeable character and elicit our sympathy and understanding. Miles is neurotic, self-obsessed and prone to throwing tantrums but Giamatti exposes his soul and makes us desperate for his relationship with the wonderful Maya work out. It is a subtle, funny, moving and utterly compelling performance and the Academy should be ashamed for ignoring his incredible feats for the second year in a row

You won't see many better films than this for some time. 'Sideways' is a triumph, a sublime piece of work which rings true from first minute to last. This film showcases one of American cinema's brightest young talents at the top of his game and we can only hope that, like a fine wine, Payne improves with age.

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intelligent and witty

Gromit from Canterbury , 26/05/2006

This film really took me by surprise. I knew nothing about it except that its about 2 men spending a week driving around california's wine region - it couldn't sound more boring if it tried. But thankfully its anything but. This isn't 'for middle aged men and wine lovers' as one reviewer suggests - I know nothing about wine and I'm certainly not a middle aged man! This is an intelligent, witty drama with a well-written central character and his loathsome, yet for some reason endearing, friend. You often won't like the main characters - but thats sort of the point, this isn't hollywood shmooze, this is real life observational drama. This film is about 'normal' people doing 'normal' things...it just happens that the main character is obsessed by wine, but it could easily have been something completely different, it really isn't about that. This is about friendship, love, fear and new beginnings. Its very relaxed, its very easy going and its blatantly made on a shoestring - it really goes to prove that to make a good film you only need a few good actors and a corker of a script. Fans of Woody Allen will appreciate this film, fans of Frasier will appreciate this film, fans of Jean Claude Van-Damme really won't.

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Don't believe the hype

A customer from South West , 05/03/2005

The advertising spin and trailers for this film suggest a work of genius - in reality it's a mediocre and slightly pretentious road movie. It had strong appeal to hollywood and the US critics for delivering a quasi-european arthouse style.

I watched it with others from the 'target' audience group and we were left cold.

Watch it but don't expect too much.

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Sidestep this!

Bill55 from essex, , 06/09/2005

If you want to watch a film about two men having mid life crisis' and tasting wine then this is for you.

If not avoid this long winded bore which I wish I had done! This has very little in the way of interest or amusement and fast forwarding makes it more enjoyable.

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Like the Pinot....Mature

andre from London , 23/06/2005

You've got to watch this film with a glass of the red stuff in your mits; and when you do you will appreciate a very refined and humorous look at mid life angst. I loved this film mostly for the odd couple couplings, wry and realistic observations and one great speech delivered by the main female character on the importance of wine in life. If you love wine and love adult, mature conversation, in the midst of immature male behaviour, you must watch this film and let it ferment before your eyes.

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The worst movie I have ever seen?

katie18 from uk , 29/08/2005

After half an hour of this the only sideways movement I felt like making was out of the living room.

Waited 30 minutes for the plot to unfold, which it didn't, and then skipped to the end to find out that as well as being depressing and pointless, this is also a tediously predictable movie.

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