[Adam_S]

Sideways - ½ (out of four, recommended with reservations)

Sideways is an extremely well made, film. The writing is excellent, the characters actually work, the cinematography perfectly matches the mood and atmosphere of the piece, and it's never really boring. Everything clicks really well.

It just didn't pack a huge appeal for me. IN fact it's almost an identical reaction to Garden State. Both are films I can easily see why they are so well loved, I can even see their quality and reasons I should really like them. But something about morose main characters learning to live just isn't a story genre that has much relevance to me. It's a great message and all, but just not my bag baby.

That said Paul Giametti, Virginia Madsen, and Sandra Oh are absolutely fabulous in every one of their scenes. Thomas Hayden Church has, like, watched too much Jeff Lebowski dude. That's harsh, and he gave a really wonderful performance, he does an outstanding job of making you loath and despise his character.

I guess I'm just too much of a romantic sucker, but this is like the first act to a story stretched out to fill the whole film. I like romantic comedies, and I think that the film is just getting going when it ends. ON the other hand I can completely understand and accept why it ends where it does, it works perfectly for the film, I just have issues with this type of story it seems.

I really wanted to love this film, I'm a food nut, I could very easily become a wine fanatic, this has so many things in it that should really appeal to me, but just don't.

Also I wonder why it is that we get the respectful closed door for the middle class wanna be bourgeosie main characters but its okay to see the redneck fat people going at it? That's totally unfair, btw, but I sense the same sort of backhanded casual almost subconscious derision of the joe-six-pack-non-elite people of the world that turned me off About Schmidt.

Payne says a lot of things that I think have value and are worthwhile, but there seemed to be so little point to them, and I can't recall any of the specifics that worked for me during the film. And I don't really have any desire to see the film again.

But cineastes should get a kick out of it, and a lot will probably really love it, but I've just enough populist tastes that the end result of the film was very mixed for me--this is, more or less, a film where taste is a metaphor for life, it's all about taste.

Adam

[Henry Gale]

Made the usual 150 or so mile round trip to Nortwest Austin so I could see Sideways, or Zelary. Sideways was starting 15 minutes after I arrived, so I was very fortunate.
This wonderful film, set in Los Angeles and the wine country of California stars Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh.
The direction and screenplay are from Alexander Payne who has already gifted us with About Schmidt (2002), Election (1999) and Citizen Ruth (1996).
Please try to find this movie in your area, it's the best thing I've seen this year.

[Quentin]

This is just a really amazing film. Incredibly nuanced performances from Giamatti (my choice for Actor of the year) and Madsen.

It's difficult for the first hour or so - so tough to watch uncomfortable moments and behavior from Miles. And, then, something happened. I hooked into him. Into the film.

That Madsen monologue about wine is something else.

[Haggai]

Just got back from this. I thought it was very good, though not in the same league as Eternal Sunshine. But I completely agree on the performances, top-notch work from everyone involved.

[Lew Crippen]

Just a wonderful movie. And for those who don’t know, they got the whole wine thing exactly right. I know some of those people.

The only downside: Good Pinot Noir is already too expensive. Now it may get even more so.

[Joe Hsu]

Just got back from a showing...took my parents and ended up being at least half of the average age of the theater-goers.

I absolutely loved Payne's latest film...Giamatti's performance was so detailed and believable, his character became like a good friend by the end of the movie. I also loved the premise of wine tasting/wine country...gorgeous settings, makes me want to take wine-tasting classes next year. (Which I already wanted to do...but thought I'd wait longer)

too many shows to catch up on right now, but I can't wait to see what others think of it.

[Jerry R Colvin]

Saw this last weekend and now it's my favorite film of 2004 so far (replacing Eternal Sunshine and Spider-Man 2).

Love it... why so little feedback here on this gem...?

[Robert Crawford]

This thread is now the Official Review Thread for "Sideways". Please post all HTF member reviews in this thread.

Any other comments, links to other reviews, or discussion items will be deleted from this thread without warning!

If you need to discuss those type of issues then I have designated an Official Discussion Thread.



Crawdaddy

[Edwin Pereyra]

Alexander Payne’s character study of two unlikable individuals in their mid-life years who have very little to show for is well acted, heartfelt and emotionally realized. Paul Giamatti follows his breakthrough performance in American Splendor with yet another nuanced performance worthy of mention for one of this year’s top acting awards.

Payne, and mostly through Thomas Haden Church, sprinkles his script with the right touch of comic moments that keep this dramedy on balance. As with his previous films, Payne has a gift of giving us flawed characters along with their transgressions lest be judged by their actions – individuals that may not be like one of us but all the while, someone that we can relate to.

Sideways delves into failed relationships and unsatisfied lives that it also becomes a second coming of age for the midlife guy.

~Edwin