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October 22, 2004
Sideways
(out of four)
Jack is an altar-bound ex-actor determined to find and seduce some fun-lovin' gal in the week before his wedding. Miles is a self-deprecating wine lover who passes up every opportunity for romance because he's still hung up on his ex-wife. These two guys represent opposite ends of the spectrum of middle-aged male behavior: On one extreme, we have the sex-starved free spirit who indulges his basest instincts, while on the other, there stands the neurotic, insecure guy who sabotages his chances for fear of where a new relationship may lead. On the surface, Sideways is the story of what happens when Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes Jack (Thomas Haden Church) on a bachelor-party road trip through California wine country. But at a deeper level, it serves as a revealing examination of life, wine, fidelity and the bizarre workings of men's minds. Sideways spins the bottle, if you will, on the guys and doesn't let 'em off so easily. Directed by Election's Alexander Payne, the movie reflects the same charitable spirit and humor that marked his last picture, About Schmidt, and gives his cast (including wife Sandra Oh) a chance to shine.
Posted by Peter Debruge on