Category Archives: 2004

Sideways (2004)

From NetFlix:

Two men go on an excursion and end up inducing midlife crises in this comedy-drama that won six Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature and Best Director. Pinot Noir lover Miles (Paul Giamatti) convinces friend Jack (Thomas Haden Church) to enjoy his last days of bachelorhood with a wine country road trip. The pair get involved with two women (Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen) and inevitably come face to face with their past and present.

Just the few really funny sight-gags make the film (recommended by “1001 Films to See Before You Die”) worth watching. For my tastes (no pun intended) there was too much discussion of wine. I spent much of the film rooting for Paul Giamatti and hoping he might find some happiness in his life. I’ll always associate Thomas Haden Church as one of the brothers in the TV series “Wings”. Sandro Oh is well-known from “Grey’s Anatomy”.