Sideways
3/4
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Rated R for Language, Some Strong Sexual Content and Nudity
I am not an Alexander Payne fan. I didn't care for "Citizen Ruth," "Election," or "The Descendants." Despite being beloved by critics, I found them to be the definition of mediocrity. Feature-length sitcoms with all their pitfalls. I came across "Sideways" on TV once, and although I came in during the middle, I enjoyed it. It has taken me until now to view the whole film and my opinion is still the same: it's a fun, low-key romance with some human comedy sprinkled in for seasoning.
Depressed writer and wine connoisseur Miles (Giamatti) has been in a rut since his divorce a year and a half ago. His best friend Jack (Church) is getting married on Saturday, and Miles is taking him on a wine tasting trip through the vineyards of California. While there, they meet the lovely Maya (Madsen), a waitress that Miles has noticed from afar and is interested in him, and her kinky friend Stephanie (Oh). But Jack wants to get himself (and Miles) laid before he gets hitched. That leaves Miles open to Maya's advances, if he will only gather up the courage to reciprocate.
One of the biggest upsets at the 2005 Academy Awards was the fact that it's star, long time character actor Paul Giamatti, was left out of the Best Actor race. Such an upset is surprising, although considering it's track record of boneheaded nominations/wins, maybe not. Giamatti is very good here, and received his much deserved big break after bringing Miles to life. Miles is clinically depressed. He sometimes drinks too much, and his love of wine borders on an obsession. He loves wine as much as I love movies. But it's a cover for his loneliness and insecurity. An example of this is when he hurriedly resumes talking about wine instead of responding to Maya's advances. Jack is a less interesting character, but that's mainly because he's supporting. He cares for Miles, but he wants to live his own life even if he does some unsavory things. Church is good in the role, but not spectacular. He leaves the spotlight to Giamatti.
The women actresses are great as well. Virginia Madsen, a popular actress from the 80's, got a long overdue Oscar nomination as Maya. Maya is a girl we'd all like to be interested in us. She's beautiful, sensitive and loving. She really cares for Miles, which makes her endearing. Miles isn't a stud; he's balding and has a paunch. Plus there's his depressive personality to deal with. But Madsen portrays Maya beautifully, and she has a nice understated chemistry with Giamatti. Canadian character actress Sandra Oh is also very good as the lively and sexually vivacious Stephanie. Her role is the least developed, but she's an excuse to get Jack to leave so we can spend more time with Miles and Maya.
Alexander Payne has found a project that works. Maybe it's the fact that the material is good, or maybe it's the fact that he's working with the right actors (which I doubt since he's always working with top-notch talent...his cast members, who are always different, include Laura Dern, Jack Nicholson, Reese Witherspoon and George Clooney). Whatever the reason it's a good fit.
Unfortunately, "Sideways" is a victim of its own length. Romances typically need 90 minutes (give or take) to tell their story (why does no one remember this?). "Sideways" runs just over two hours. The film is magical during the first hour, but loses its luster the longer it goes on. The ending is also a little unsatisfying. Not because of what happens (it's pretty obligatory), but because of how Payne handles it.
Still, I liked it. It's funny, it's romantic, and for those like myself who love wine, it contains a lot of cool information about wine. It's going to make you hungry and want to go on a wine tasting trip with a bunch of your friends. If you're okay with that (who wouldn't be?), it's a good choice for movie night.
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Rated R for Language, Some Strong Sexual Content and Nudity
I am not an Alexander Payne fan. I didn't care for "Citizen Ruth," "Election," or "The Descendants." Despite being beloved by critics, I found them to be the definition of mediocrity. Feature-length sitcoms with all their pitfalls. I came across "Sideways" on TV once, and although I came in during the middle, I enjoyed it. It has taken me until now to view the whole film and my opinion is still the same: it's a fun, low-key romance with some human comedy sprinkled in for seasoning.
Depressed writer and wine connoisseur Miles (Giamatti) has been in a rut since his divorce a year and a half ago. His best friend Jack (Church) is getting married on Saturday, and Miles is taking him on a wine tasting trip through the vineyards of California. While there, they meet the lovely Maya (Madsen), a waitress that Miles has noticed from afar and is interested in him, and her kinky friend Stephanie (Oh). But Jack wants to get himself (and Miles) laid before he gets hitched. That leaves Miles open to Maya's advances, if he will only gather up the courage to reciprocate.
One of the biggest upsets at the 2005 Academy Awards was the fact that it's star, long time character actor Paul Giamatti, was left out of the Best Actor race. Such an upset is surprising, although considering it's track record of boneheaded nominations/wins, maybe not. Giamatti is very good here, and received his much deserved big break after bringing Miles to life. Miles is clinically depressed. He sometimes drinks too much, and his love of wine borders on an obsession. He loves wine as much as I love movies. But it's a cover for his loneliness and insecurity. An example of this is when he hurriedly resumes talking about wine instead of responding to Maya's advances. Jack is a less interesting character, but that's mainly because he's supporting. He cares for Miles, but he wants to live his own life even if he does some unsavory things. Church is good in the role, but not spectacular. He leaves the spotlight to Giamatti.
The women actresses are great as well. Virginia Madsen, a popular actress from the 80's, got a long overdue Oscar nomination as Maya. Maya is a girl we'd all like to be interested in us. She's beautiful, sensitive and loving. She really cares for Miles, which makes her endearing. Miles isn't a stud; he's balding and has a paunch. Plus there's his depressive personality to deal with. But Madsen portrays Maya beautifully, and she has a nice understated chemistry with Giamatti. Canadian character actress Sandra Oh is also very good as the lively and sexually vivacious Stephanie. Her role is the least developed, but she's an excuse to get Jack to leave so we can spend more time with Miles and Maya.
Alexander Payne has found a project that works. Maybe it's the fact that the material is good, or maybe it's the fact that he's working with the right actors (which I doubt since he's always working with top-notch talent...his cast members, who are always different, include Laura Dern, Jack Nicholson, Reese Witherspoon and George Clooney). Whatever the reason it's a good fit.
Unfortunately, "Sideways" is a victim of its own length. Romances typically need 90 minutes (give or take) to tell their story (why does no one remember this?). "Sideways" runs just over two hours. The film is magical during the first hour, but loses its luster the longer it goes on. The ending is also a little unsatisfying. Not because of what happens (it's pretty obligatory), but because of how Payne handles it.
Still, I liked it. It's funny, it's romantic, and for those like myself who love wine, it contains a lot of cool information about wine. It's going to make you hungry and want to go on a wine tasting trip with a bunch of your friends. If you're okay with that (who wouldn't be?), it's a good choice for movie night.
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