Sideways
Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church make an odd couple of long-time friends who spend a funny, revealing and sometimes touching time together during a tour of Californias wine country in Sideways, the new film from the director of About Schmidt.
Giamatti plays sad sack, Miles a teacher and aspiring novelist who still has not recovered from his divorce two year earlier. Church is Jack, a washed up actor who is about to be married but, before he takes the plunge, he wants to have a final fling, so when wine connoisseur, Miles takes him on their vineyard visit, Jack intends to enjoy his last taste of freedom" between slurps of Chardonnay or whatever, because to Jack all wine tastes the same. Although they have been friends since college, the neurotic, unhappy Miles and the easy-going Jack could not be more unalike. Miles envisions a quiet time of wine sipping and golfing; Jack sees their trip as a weeklong party and an opportunity for him to sow a few last wild oats. Because he believes Miles has been officially depressed for, like, two years he is also determined to help his old friend re-discover fun.
Best Picture (Comedy or Musical) Golden Globe Winner 2004.
Special Features:
- Feature Audio Commentary By Paul Giamatti And Thomas Haden Church
- Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
- Seven Deleted And Extended Scenes
- Three Easter Eggs
Critic Reviews:
- " It is a powerfully written story captured onscreen by Alexander Payne with a wondrous humanity and sensitivity. " – Richard Propes
- " This is a film about human beings who can be flawed and prickly but if you go a little deeper, you will see beauty. This is a wonderfully written script, with a great performance by Paul Giamatti. " – Anupama Chopra
- " Funny, touching, and features perhaps the best ensemble work of any film in recent memory. And like fine wine, the movie ages well upon reflection. " – Micheal Compton
