Sideways (2004)

                             SIDEWAYS
                (a film review by Mark R. Leeper)

     CAPSULE: This film is getting a lot of attention,
     but it is really just a likable romantic comedy
     of personality as two buddies learn about each
     other on a road trip prior to the marriage of one
     of them.  The film will be of particular interest
     to wine lovers.  Rating: +1 (-4 to +4)

Something you should know about me before reading this review. Like a certain famous personality I never drink . . . wine. The appreciation of wine might have much helped my enjoyment of this film.

Miles Raymond (played by Paul Giamatti) is a fairly serious personality living each day of his life with frustration and disappointment. He is an aspiring writer who is marketing a novel and at the same time teaching English in middle school. Adding to his dissatisfaction is his recently divorced. His ego is taking a real beating. Meanwhile his best friend Jack (Thomas Haden Church)--handsome but a little superficial--is a TV actor about to get married. Miles, who is to be the best man, has arranged a road trip. The two will drive around southern California playing golf, having a good time, and visiting wineries. Miles is a wine connoisseur, knowing each vintage as if it was a friend for years. Jack just likes drinking wine and fooling around with women, enjoying both without learning much about either. Everyone makes fuss over Jack, but Miles can see the selfishness and tastelessness in his Jack as only a friend can. The two are old pals but are very different types. Miles is shocked to hear that Jack also wants to take his last unmarried week to get some sex and also to get Miles to have sex. What follows is a sort of laid back comedy of romance and personality. Waitress and wine- enthusiast Maya (Virginia Madsen) and a tasting-room hostess Stephanie (Sandra Oh) offer the romance.

The film, directed and written in part by Alexander Payne, is a mini-education in wine as well as an endearing look at one of those people who cannot seem to make life work for him. Payne had previously directed ELECTION and ABOUT SCHMIDT. In the former he looked at the sort of character who feels he has value, but is just not the sort of person the world rewards. Paul Giamatti is one of those character actors who always seems talented and engaging but who rarely seem to get a lead in a film. He is a face I have seen in film for years with small but magnetic roles in films like PLANET OF THE APES and PAYCHECK opposite leads perhaps not unlike the character Jack in this film. But until last year's AMERICAN SPLENDOR I never remember him getting a lead role. In spite of his long-since receded hairline and his edgy manner (or perhaps because of them) he has some sort of magnetic appeal on the screen.

I cannot claim this is my kind of movie, but it was a pleasant and insightful comedy of character. It is receiving some very strong praise from other corners.

                                        Mark R. Leeper
                                        mleeper@optonline.net
                                        Copyright 2004 Mark R. Leeper

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