Sideways Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
In search of wine. In search of women. In search of themselves.
Miles Raymond, a failed writer and divorcé who teaches junior high school English takes his best friend, former hot actor Jack, on a weeklong drive up to California's wine country. There they explore the nature of their failures and question their relationships. Jack, about to get married, has an affair with a woman and wonders whether he should call off his wedding. Miles questions whether or not he made the right choice while trying to form a relationship with the woman's best friend, a fellow oenophile who is a waitress at a restaurant that he frequents often when visiting that part of the country.
| Paul Giamatti | Miles |
| Thomas Haden Church | Jack |
| Virginia Madsen | Maya |
| Sandra Oh | Stephanie |
| Marylouise Burke | Miles's Mother |
| Jessica Hecht | Victoria |
| Missy Doty | Cammi |
| M.C. Gainey | Cammi's Husband |
| Alysia Reiner | Christine Erganian |
| Shake Tukhmanyan | Mrs. Erganian |
| Shaun Duke | Mike Erganian |
| Robert Covarrubias | Miles's Building Manager |
| Patrick Gallagher | Gary the Bartender |
| Stephanie Faracy | Stephanie's Mother |
| Joe Marinelli | Frass Canyon Pourer |
| Alexander Payne |
7.80 out of 10 (47569 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Good, but way Overrated..
posted on 28 Aug 2009People actually have the nerve to put this ahead of Movies like Million Dollar Baby and Hotel Rwanda, i mean, don't get me wrong, i loved it!! It's just that this movie just didn't make for an excellent film to me.. it was entertaining at times, but the ending baffled me a little.. the characters got away with a lot in this movie, as far as the lies and deceit.. that was weird and i wasn't gratified by that, it made the movie that much more strange to me.. though, the movie had remarkable acting and Dialog, i disagree that it should of won a golden globe for screen play, that should of went to Million Dollar Baby, hands down.. but it was a unique story of two friends, one living life before marriage, and one trying to find himself.. it was very funny at times too tho, but all in all, there are better movies from 2004, Ray, Million Dollar Baby, Hotel Rwanda to name a few.. but i guess that it is all opinionated, but i don't think that this movie was all that great... 7/10
Subtle tones of tragedy and comedy make this a refreshing change from the norm
posted on 26 Aug 2009Sometimes, when I go to the movies as I nearly always do on a Sunday, I keep thinking about how much the ticket cost and whether the film was worth it or not. I still cry real tears at the painful memory of how much I paid to see "Stigmata" (£26 for two adults - hey, I was in love!) and smirk with mischief at seeing "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" for just £3. Some films have a definite feel of how much you'd pay to see them. For example, "The Incredibles" is a film so good that I'd happily pay £10 to see again. Whereas something with Steven Seagal in it should come with a refund. "Sideways" comes in at around £8.50 which is what I paid. It is a genuinely funny film but not one that batters you into submission. It works it's magic gently and before you know it, you're hooked.The film takes place in California, a week before the wedding of faded actor Jack (Thomas Haden Church). He is off on a week-long wine-tasting trip organized by his best friend Miles (Paul Giamatti), a struggling writer and wine connoisseur extraordinaire. Miles' aim is to show Jack a good time, to spend some quality time with his friend drinking some damn fine Pinot Noir and playing a few rounds of golf. Jack's aim is to make the most of his numbered days of singledom by getting himself and Miles laid. As both men's agendas become clearer, their friendship is tested even further by the arrival of sexy waitress Maya (Virginia Madsen) and wine expert Stephanie (Sandra Oh).I must confess, I wasn't expecting this to be as funny as it was. It isn't a laugh-a-minute comedy that goes for the jugular each time. Once acquainted with the characters, it feels very much like an episode of "Frasier" in that the characters spark off each other very well before the whole thing descends into a classic farce. As Miles' once-noble plan comes crashing down around him, you feel utter sympathy for him as he bears the brunt of his friend's consequences. Personally, I lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of the excellent Giamatti who makes Miles not only believable but also heart-wrenchingly tragic. Misfortune after misfortune continues to rain down upon him until the inevitable happens, much to our own amusement. Church is the perfect foil, portraying a complete bastard brought down by his own lust yet unaware of Miles' reaction. Together, they hit every mark on the button - whether it's a quick one-liner or a facial response, these two make us laugh almost at will.To be fair, the film does slow a bit in the middle before rallying once again towards the climax. I also found myself wondering how two seemingly different people could ever have been friends for as long as they appear to have been. But despite these (admittedly minor) niggles, this is as good a comedy as you'll see this year. It's good to see that some people are trying to make comedies that aren't reliant on jokes about tits, sex and Keenan Ivory Waynes. It won't be to everybody's tastes but personally speaking, this is one that really hits the spot. Like a good Pinot...
A great smart funny flick from Payne
posted on 26 Aug 2009Sideways is Alexander Payne's masterpiece. A drama/comedy that is both intellectually interesting and very funny. With great performances, smart direction and a great Payne script, this film is perfect. Giamatti is perfectly cast and does a great job here, my favorite of the film (although the academy only gave nods to Church and Madsen). I thought the whole cast was good, even the director's wife (soon to be divorced), Sandra oh, who was very believable as a liberal swinger chick. I also loved Thomas Haden church, who is very believable as a television actor, it sort of fit him for me since I was actually used to seeing him on TV show Wings. Virginia Madsen was also great, and in my opinion gives an Oscar worthy performance here. The film's script is great, good work from Payne and longtime collaborator Jim Taylor. Its the best part about the film, i mean i would have never thought I would be so interested in a film that had dialogues about winetasting and wine types throughout, but it worked. This film is perfect, an instant favorite of mine, 10/10 #60 on my list of all-time favorite films
Payne Hits His Stride...
posted on 24 Aug 2009What at first glance this might seem like the slightest of Payne's films (essentially "Sideways" is a buddy/road comedy for the art-house set), is at closer look his most accomplished and entertaining film. "Sideways," anchored by rock-solid performances, witty dialogue, and an unabashed love for wine and California, is laugh-out-loud funny and downright tear-jerking where Payne's previous films were simply quirky or poignant. Here we have Paul Giamanti in an Oscar-caliber performance as a failed novelist and wine enthusiast taking his goof-ball ex-soap opera actor friend (Thomas Haden Church in a comic gem of a role) on one last road trip before Church walks down the aisle. The men are at polar opposites of the standard male mid-life crisis, and when they reach sun-speckled and wine soaked northern California and meet up with two gorgeous woman (the subtly hilarious Sandra Oh and the aging like a fine wine Virginia Madsen in a dream of a come back role that should also be courting Oscar) hilarity, romance, drama, and coming of age ensue. It's all so damn entertaining because I never expected to learn so much about wine or to be treated to some of the best on screen chemistry amongst a foursome of actors this side of the 1970's. There's also one classic scene where Giamanti and Madsen, both a bit tipsy, are sitting out on the porch after a night of good food and good friends, sipping on some wine and they proceed to share with one another why they love the wine that they do and we see how it relates to their characters and people in general. It is in that scene that I fell in love with Virginia Madsen, with wine, and with "Sideways" all at once, and dare I say it is one of the all-time greatest scenes of acting chemistry, poetic dialogue, and subtle direction that has ever graced the screen. Yes, with all of Payne's films there are a few sidetracks the keep it from reaching sublime greatness, but for that scene alone all is forgiven, and it makes "Sideways" one the years best cinematic treats.
Beautifully directed issue driven drama
posted on 24 Aug 2009The sheer idea of this film is what attracted me to view it. Paul Giamatti's character Miles goes on holiday with his best friend to get away from problems at home and it's a finding yourself type of holiday as the pair encounter various problems and opportunities in California's wine country.I'm personally not a big wine taster but found the film very deep on the topic and was interested by the facts about different drinks that were encoded. The use of wine is a very symbolic object in this Oscar winning film, and is great as a little sub story to the other topics being covered.The plot is consistent, intriguing, deep, humorous and different throughout which makes it one of the best comedy dramas of recent times with its use of these qualities and issues, which include loyalty, friendship, marriage and commitment.These issues are put forward by a superb cast, making true personalities out of their characters, none more so than Giamatti (Cinderella man) whose negative character is stunning to watch as he deals with many issues regarding his personal life. And when things are appearing to go from bad to worse, it is interesting to see how he deals with life and more so himself.Church's character Jack is almost the complete opposite of Miles, who is more positive and is trying to make the most out of his life and we can see opposites working, showing the differences in personality, an important point to the film.The settings are marvellous, though some maybe criticized for being conventional, I thought they were great, especially the use of the bar and restaurant.Despite its strong passionate issues, it's a relaxing and enjoyable watch, with brilliance from all the cast.The direction is absolute brilliance, particularly one shot where the two central protagonists are sitting on a bench, a sensational drama.
California Wine Country?
posted on 22 Aug 2009Apparently, none of the people on this site who wrote their comments come from California, because the locale of this film is not the justifiably heralded and famous "California wine country," which is in Northern California, in Napa Valley in particular, but in Santa Barbara County and thereabouts, in Southern California --- very different soil and very different "country." Santa Barbara County wines are just little brothers and sisters to The Big Place Upstate, Napa! Although the Santa Barbara County "wine country" looked wonderful in this film, any viewers would do themselves a favor by going to see for themselves how astoundingly beautiful is the real deal: Napa Valley, in Northern California. Wow. Now THAT's "wine country." So, please, stop referring to the locale of this film as "California wine country." You cannot call anything but Napa and Sonoma Counties "California wine country." You just can't. California is a HUGE place, and Southern California is vastly different from Northern California. Their wine regions cannot be confused.
The cinematic embodiment of every feeling that makes life truly horrific
posted on 20 Aug 2009This movie is a depressing tale of a poor schlub who keeps on living a painful, pointless existence way after the "thrill of livin' is gone". If you've ever felt hopeless, pathetic and weak, you will recognize this character and loathe yourself for it. Beautiful in ways, but way too real, this is escape fiction in the sense that after it is over the rest of your life is a happy escape from the life of this poor man. The Thomas Hayden Church character is a direct contrast to the main character, Church plays an over-confident aging actor with no remorse except for the women he fails to have sex with. The main character is a pseudo-intellectual highbrow with nothing but remorse, remorse for the sins, mistakes and faux pas he has committed and a generous portion of remorse for the actions of everyone else. His guilty conscience is extreme. The movie is terrific in many ways, but it isn't fun, it drags and makes you feel certain emotions that are uncomfortable and not in line with a carefree night at the movies.
Swingers on ripple
posted on 20 Aug 2009It is hard not to notice the similarities between the principals in this film and that of Swingers. However in Swingers the main characters, Mike and Trent, were a much more likable duo and far more interesting dimensionally. The character of Mike evolves from doubt and self loathing to becoming more confident and in the end forgets his former love and moves on.In Sideways, Myles and Jack venture on what was to be a one week journey to the Wineries of Coastal California. Right at the onset of the film, you see Miles as someone who has a hard time telling the truth and Jack as someone who has a hard time accepting reality. Myles lies about his drive to Los Angeles to meet Jack, lies about his 'soon to be published book' and steals from his mother. During the course of the week, they meet up with Maya and Stephanie and lie to them about their intentions (Maya believes Jack about his plans to move to the Central Coast with her, and even Jack begins to believe his own lie while all along preparing for his marriage in a few days to his fiancé in LA). When the bubble bursts and the women find out that their stay is transitory, Stephanie delivers the beating of a lifetime to Jack. At this point you think that maybe the characters would evolve into an awakening but nothing changes. Even as one of the only funny moments in the film transpires, Jack is at best shedding crocodile tears while brewing up a story he can tell his bride as to what happened to his face. As wedding day approaches, it appears everything is A-OK and Jack gets what he wants (delivering a wink to Myles at the altar). Myles meanwhile learns his ex is not only married but pregnant which sends Myles over the edge, drinking his vintage 61 in a styrofoam cup at a cheap burger joint. It was hard to really feel any affection for any of the characters, even though the female roles were well written and Sandra Oh performed the scene where she confronts Jack with realism (you could feel her hurt). The principal characters never evolve or learn from their experiences. As good as a friend Myles is supposed to be to Jack, he cannot tell him the truth either. Overall I give the film 3 out of 10.
A Mediocre, Non-biased look at Sideways
posted on 14 Aug 2009I watched Sideways for the first time two days ago. I hadn't been to sleep in 32 hours and wasn't really in the mood for watching a movie. My mother had it tivo'd (is that even a word?) and the title caught my eye. I hadn't heard anything about the movie but the description of the film really interested me, and the movie really got me interested in wine.But first I'd like to say that Sideways is not a movie for everyone. It's more likely targeted towards the fairly depressed but capable American.So I started watching the film and within the first fifteen minutes I was honestly glued to the TV. The timing of the humor is damn near perfect throughout the entire flick.Payne hit the nail right on the head with the situations he put Miles (Giamatti) into. They were situations that almost any male past college can relate to. Wanting the girl but being to shy to go for her was probably Payne's main focus. Miles also has a friend who is much more modest than one should be by the name of Jack (Church). Jack pretty much trashes all of Miles' goals, although not purposely, he just feels they will better himself. And in the most part they do.But overall the characters mirror someone that everyone in America knows. Each one of them.I found this film to be incredibly motivational, hilariously absurd, and a downright good movie. Definitely the most relatable movie for me in the last five years.Give sideways a chance, and go in with an open mind. But not so open that you go and do everything that these two guys do.
A Good Movie, but Not Quite Up to the Hype
posted on 12 Aug 2009This movie got a bunch of kudos, especially from the independent movie crowd. Paul Giamatti is an exceptional actor, so I had high hopes for this movie. Although it is an enjoyable movie, I think it failed to live up to the high expectations I had set for it.It's basically a buddy movie. Two guys go on a road trip through wine country before one gets married. The one that is engaged, is also looking for some "fun" before being tied down to a single woman. The other one is still suffering from a lost relationship and a failure to meet his professional expectations.The acting is well done and the direction is well done. There just isn't a lot of new territory that is covered here. The Paul Giamatti character is a slightly less neurotic version of the character that Woody Allen brought to the screen. The Paul Haden Church character is a classic self-absorbed man to never grew up. In a character-driven movie, the characters need to progress through their experiences portrayed in the movie. This movie accomplishes that.It's a good movie, no doubt, but I missed something that many of the critics did in asserting that this was an exceptional movie.
This is what middle age is about
posted on 12 Aug 2009I'm roughly the same age as the middle aged principal characters in this film. I've got to say that I can therefore identify with quite a lot of their attitudes and character traits. Miles (Giamatti) and Jack (Church) head off on a wine tasting holiday in California the week before Jack is due to be married. It's difficult to identify who is the most disturbed since they occupy either ends of the shallow/deep spectrum.The dialogue and pace of the film are both spot on and the line about excrement has got to be one of my favourite movie lines of recent times. I've liked Giamatti ever since his roles in Truman and Man on the Moon and hopefully this will see him given more opportunities in the lead role. If you want to see an intelligent film with good acting, interesting characters and a whimsical story go and see Sideways. 8/10
Slow starter, strong finisher
posted on 10 Aug 2009Just saw the DVD screener; OK, I will get right to the point here; Most of you will not like this film for the first 45 minutes. I found myself asking "ok what is this film about" well as soon as I did, I started to become more and more interested in finding out what this film was about.(and interested in the characters) To keep this review short, this film has 2 or 3 of some of the funniest film moments I have seen in a long time. The comedy here starts slow and gets funnier and funnier as the movie progresses. The "car" gag had rolling on the floor, the way the filmmakers set it up was a riot.8 out of 10 stars, a perfect satirical break "in real life"
Giamatti is Outstanding
posted on 08 Aug 2009The medium of the cinema can be entertaining as well as educational, and when it's done well, a film can be both. Such is the case with "Sideways," directed by Alexander Payne, who also wrote the screenplay, which he adapted from the novel by Rex Pickett.Jack (Thomas Haden Church), an actor whose "star" peaked some eleven years earlier and who now ekes out a living primarily doing commercials, is about to be married. With one week to go before the big day, his best man/friend/former college roommate, Miles (Paul Giamatti), has cooked up a trip to California's wine country, where he proposes a week of friendship, good wine, good food and golf as a send-off for Jack into that most blessed state of matrimony.As is often the case with the hand that Life deals us, however, the week does not quite go as planned, for a couple of reasons: First, though Miles proclaims this week to be about Jack, Miles is battling his own demons of depression, which have plagued him for going on two years now, ever since his divorce from his beloved Victoria (Jessica Hecht). In addition to which, although he makes his living as an Eighth-Grade English Teacher, Miles is also an aspiring novelist, who happens to be waiting for a call from his agent, who has a publisher interested in the novel Miles has been working on for more than three years. So there is an ulterior motive for Miles at work here; a wine connoisseur, he's taking Jack into country that is not only familiar to him, but is without question a "comfort zone" for Miles, who desperately needs a temporary respite from his own cares right now.The other problem is that Jack has an inflated ego and an overactive libido, a potent combination that quickly dictates an alternate plan of action for the week. Jack, it seems, is bent on sowing every last wild oat that remains, active or dormant, within him, before his impending nuptials scheduled for the following Saturday. Soon he is involved with Stephanie (Sandra Oh), who works pouring samples of wine for visitors at one of the first vineyards to which Miles takes Jack on their tour.Jack then successfully devises a plan that gets Miles involved with Maya (Virginia Madsen), a waitress at one of the restaurants Miles frequents on his visits to this part of the world. Maya also happens to be a recent divorcée who is working on her Master's in Horticulture at one of the local colleges, as well as being a wine connoisseur in her own right and a friend of Stephanie's to boot. All of which sounds like the makings of a good time for all, with one exception: Jack conveniently fails to tell Stephanie that he is about to be married.Bad move, Jack...In "Sideways," Payne has created a highly entertaining and emotionally involving film with characters and situations to which a broad cross-section of viewers will readily be able to relate and identify. Payne has an eye for nuance and subtlety, which makes his film- essentially a character study- a succinct examination of the human condition.Subtlety and nuance is exactly what Paul Giamatti brings to the role of Miles, as well. It's a performance that is so real it's almost excruciatingly so at times, but it makes Miles someone you can empathize with. Giamatti creates a sympathetic character you can't help but root for on this vast wilderness of a stage we call life; it's a performance that should easily have earned him an Oscar for Best Actor.Haden Church does an exemplary job, too, as Jack. He imbues his character with such believable self-centered shallowness that you want to laugh at him and hit him at the same time. The rub is, Jack knows what he's doing, but simply can't help himself; so in the end you may find yourself sympathizing with him anyway, because Haden Church presents Jack as someone who just does not possess the intellectual capacity to do otherwise, which somehow makes you want to let him off the hook. You realize that this is just Jack honestly being who he is. And it takes a good performance to get you as a viewer to that place.The striking Virginia Madsen does a good job, as well, as Maya, creating a character that is a perfect counterpart to the Miles created by Giamatti. And Sandra Oh, currently riding a surging wave of popularity due to her role on televisions "Grey's Anatomy," brings some definite pizazz to her role of Stephanie, successfully displaying her character's spirit, while at the same time exposing a decidedly vulnerable side of her.The supporting cast includes Missy Doty (Cammi), M.C. Gainey (Cammi's husband), Patrick Gallagher (Gary the bartender), Marylouise Burke (Mile's mother), Alysia Reiner (Christine) and Stephanie Faracy (Stephanie's mother).A film that lends itself to repeated viewings, "Sideways" is one of those gems that makes you appreciate not only the artists involved, as well as the art of film-making, but the medium itself. I like this movie more every time I see it.
Alexander Payne's Humorous Middle Age Mortality Tale
posted on 31 Jul 2009Were you thinking big when you made your New Year's resolutions last month? See this movie and think again.That broken relationship you're determined to salvage? The big promotion you're certain you can still land? Those piano lessons you've been meaning to start? "Sideways" shows that as you approach the second half of life, it's time to accept that some dreams, no matter much you want them, may never come true.That fact is becoming painfully obvious to Miles Raymond, a middle school English teacher in his mid-40s who has written a 700-page novel that publishers keep rejecting. Divorced, short of money, and living in a run-down rental apartment in a tired section of San Diego, Miles, as played by Paul Giamatti., is a man with plenty of disappointments.His best friend is Jack, an aging actor who once had recurring roles on television series, but now gets by doing voice-over work and other commercial jobs. To celebrate Jack's impending wedding to a young and wealthy woman, Miles takes him on a week-long road trip through California vineyards.Paul Giamatti is perfect as the neurotic and tightly wound Miles, a man who uses anti-depressants, wry humor, and his erudite knowledge of wine to get through the day. Easy-going Jack, played by Thomas Haden Church, is his polar opposite: a friendly, outgoing man who loves to flirt and chase women even days before his wedding.Almost immediately Jack meets Stephanie, played by Sandra Oh, and Paul finds himself with Maya, a divorced waitress played by Virginia Madsen, who is beginning to pursue new dreams of her own. How these four people spend the next six days together – and what follows after Jack and Miles return home – makes "Sideways" one of the funniest and most satisfying movies I've seen this year. Rating: 9/10
Exceptional Acting in an "Anti-Buddy Movie" Buddy Movie
posted on 31 Jul 2009The bad reviews on this site for "Sideways" seem almost willingly obtuse. One has to wonder if they unwittingly see unpleasant aspects of their own lives and personalities in the people on-screen...? Film, after all, isn't just a window into other people's lives; it is also a fun house mirror where, like it or not, people just like you and me are tested in some way. Bear in mind George Abbott's basic model of drama:-- Act I: Get your character(s) in a tree. -- Act II: Throw rocks at the character(s). -- Act III: Get the character(s) down.The title is ambiguous and rich with meaning, but the one that springs to mind for me is simply this: When storing wine for long periods of time (like Paul Giamatti's character hoarding that special bottle of 1961 Château Cheval Blanc), the bottle should be shelved on its side so the cork doesn't dry out. And of course, when you over-indulge, you end up-- Sideways.The plot outline is simple: Take one clinically-depressed divorcé writer (Paul Giamatti) with a dead-end job as an English professor and an unattractive drinking habit (is there anything more pathetic than a wine drunk?!). Add a slightly underemployed, very oversexed TV/commercial actor with matinée looks beginning to over-ripen (Thomas Haden Church) whose own wedding is a week away. Mix in a late-model Saab convertible heading to a guys' weekend up in the California Central Coast, a handy motel and a map to the area wineries. Add a deliciously ripe local waitress with a well-developed palate for wine and a fondness for the writer (Virginia Madsen). Season confidently with one spicy wine pourer/good-time gal (Sandra Oh). Add wine. Liberally. Heat up with sex, betrayals, breakdowns, epiphanies, a lethal motorcycle helmet, a lost wedding ring and-- oh yeah-- one Fat Naked Guy. Savor with a nice bottle of Pinot Noir.Yeah, the characters may not be likable, but they're real. The humor isn't laugh-out-loud hilarity; you watch it and chuckle at these poor foolish people and, in the back of your mind, you see just a little bit of yourself in their motivations, their weaknesses, their aspirations and their comeuppances.The movie is well-directed and well-edited from a subtle, wise screenplay, but it would not have worked without the extraordinary chemistry of its four main actors. Giamatti, Haden Church, Madsen and Oh never hit a false note. "Sideways" isn't "Animal House"-- it strives for truth instead of belly laughs, and it delivers beautifully.
Boring movie about pathetic characters
posted on 29 Jul 2009This is a slowly paced and generally boring movie about a pair of pathetic and immoral middle-aged men. The men are supposedly friends yet don't understand each other. They are self-absorbed and their attempts to communicate usually fail. As the movie drags on, the 'friendship' becomes less and less credible. The 2 men meet 2 women and have a few double dates. In scenes that show the couples getting together and forming relationships, the dialog is mostly shallow or missing. The viewer gets to see the couples together without hearing what they are saying. In comparison to the men, the women seem to be saints, although we don't learn much about them. There are enough laughs to fill a preview but not enough to carry the movie.
Why was this movie so popular?
posted on 29 Jul 2009While the two main characters are pathetic, that's not reason enough to dislike the film. Many great movies have had pathetic characters. Simply put, this movie goes nowhere, not much happens in it, and there is not a single show of acting panache worthy of the claim 'character actor'.It's strange that this movie got so much adoration when against the standard of other great American 'pathos' films of the last twenty years, such as Woody Allen's best ones, there is not much to it. People seem to have reveled in the subtlety with which Sideways' characters and their relations were revealed. But it's simpler than that. The movie is about a stupid few days spent in a motel or thereabouts, by a boor who continually engages in stupid behavior and his friend who is a depressed alcoholic.Sideways is decent only when not judged against the standard of other truly great, 'simple' films. It is slow and its scenes relatively pedestrian.
Good, but not best picture material
posted on 29 Jul 2009As we get movies in the Middle East some time after the rest of the world I will not restate the story line again - this is already in many user comments. While I enjoyed the film it probably did not quite measure up to my expectations - Best Film nomination, and high score on IMDb. I would have said a 7, not a 9 or 10.Strangely, it was Paul Giamatti's Miles character who I could not wholly relate to. It did not seem possible that someone so doom laden could be attractive to a character as appealing as Maya, and his attraction to her was never really explained or made understandable; and there was not quite the degree of chemistry between the two to really make their close and tender scenes work 100%. I also found the emphasis on wine a little too much.Notwithstanding this the movie was very enjoyable - well acted; well paced; made you laugh and occasionally wanted to make you cry. It was a human film without a special effect or car chase in sight - maybe it is a fluke but I have enjoyed an increasing number of such films in the last six months. Maybe Hollywood is changing.
American Withnail & I
posted on 29 Jul 2009This film is an American 'Withnail and I' and the funniest film since the eponymous cult classic. Like 'Withnail and I' it is the story of a pair of men whose dreams of success are receding, one is prepared to compromise his life in order to keep the pursuit alive the other is not. The pair take a wine tasting a trip to rationalize this situation, however on account of one characters 'withnailian' proportions of narcissistic selfishness and cowardice, instead of rationalizing the situation it does in fact become hysterically polarized. They both have dark and selfish sides to their personality but it is those aspects that make them human and whilst we may disapprove at times, we always love them. First class writing acting and directing, more please, lots more!
Average American..
posted on 30 Aug 2009Can't say much more than the title. Average love story, with a man with no respect for himself. And, as usual, he is presented as the good guy, and at the same time an opposite of him is presented.. as the bad example. The usual you can get sex but you can't get love.. unless you're a social inept idiot.The wine part seems to be just another excuse. And i'd daresay it may even be just a publicity stunt.. If American wines were that good...Anyway, average American movie. Very watchable if you're bored, if you're demanding you'll get chills up your spine every minute since you'll be watching stereotypes all over.