For much of my teenage years I had a friend like Thomas Haden Church’s Jack in Sideways, you know a bit creepy, and overbearing, fancied his chances with the ladies, but once in a while showed a more gentle side to his character. Fact is me and him were total opposites, I just did not realise it back then. So it is fair to say that this beautifully observed comedy of embarrassment, kind of struck a chord with me.
The film follows Miles (Paul Giamatti) a deadpan lover of wine, with a failed marriage under his belt, and currently struggling to get his novel published, and Jack a washed up television actor, who is about to settle down and get married. The pair head out to California’s wine country, with very different intentions, Miles just wants a relaxing few days of sampling wine and playing golf, whereas Jack intends to pursue women one last time before the big day. Things are further complicated with Miles struggling with his feelings for fellow wine enthusiast Maya (Virginia Madsen), and Jack hooking up with fiery Stephanie (Sandra Oh).
The film works on a number of levels; firstly you have the odd couple friendship with Miles and Jack, on the one hand if you did not know their history as college roommates and long time best friends, you would struggle to see how these two guys would ever know one another, or even have a word to say to each other, on the other the characters are just so well crafted and played with depth and wit, by the two leads than it all makes sense. Also as crude as Jack can be, there are moments when he is supportive towards Miles’ attempts at getting his book published, and goes to great lengths to promote his friend’s qualities. There is a great chemistry between Church and Giamatti too, at times they strike you just like brothers.
There is also an interesting look into the quirky, oddball world of wine experts, the clever trick of the film being that you don’t have to be one to be engrossed in Miles and Maya’s world, and that when they are having deeply intimate conversations about their passion, it serves as a nice metaphor for their tender relationship. Madsen is best of all as Maya, she is very spirited and charming, but also brings a great independence and intelligence to the part, although it is worth mentioning, this is an ensemble piece.
The flavour and richness of America’s vineyards are nicely captured with broad attention to detail in how the film is brought to life with colour and atmosphere, along with a funky score to add a lovely breezy effect. The pace is well controlled with vivid conversations, and characters given time to grow within scenes that are never rushed, you also have sharp one-liners, and knockabout humour with painfully funny visual gags.
In the end Sideways is a bleak, but entertaining picture, it is very realistic about life’s pitfalls, as well as the price of failure, but does offer some hope for people who are willing to fight for it, in a film of true depth.
Director: Alexander Payne
Stars: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen
Runtime: 126 min
Country: USA
Film Rating: 
