Sideways (2004)

Director:

Alexander Payne

Writers (WGA):

Rex Pickett (novel)
Alexander Payne (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

21 January 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

In search of wine. In search of women. In search of themselves.

Plot:

Two men reaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment, embark on a week long road trip through California's wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Academic Masters Degree | Jazz Score | Car Accident | Casual Sex

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 92 wins & 32 nominations

Cast

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 (as Shaké Toukhmanian)
Shaun Duke	...	Mike Erganian (as Duke Moosekian)
Robert Covarrubias	...	Miles's Building Manager
Patrick Gallagher	...	Gary the Bartender
Stephanie Faracy	...	Stephanie's Mother
Joe Marinelli	...	Frass Canyon Pourer

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some strong sexual content and nudity.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Armenian

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Japan:R-15 | Malaysia:18SX (DVD) | Malaysia:(Banned) (theatrical) | Hungary:16 | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Taiwan:R-18 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA (original rating) | Australia:M (re-rating on appeal) | Brazil:16 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | Chile:TE | Czech Republic:12 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:III | Mexico:B15 | Netherlands:12 | Peru:PT | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | UK:15 | USA:R | Norway:11 | Canada:AA (original rating) | Ireland:15 | Indonesia:Dewasa

Filming Locations:

Buellton, California, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

Both of the New York Times crossword puzzles that Miles solves in the movie are actual published puzzles. The constructor's byline on the second puzzle Miles solves is visible; the puzzle was constructed by Alan Arbesfeld, and was published in the Times on 9 October 2003. The constructor's byline on the first puzzle (the one Miles solves while driving) is not visible; this puzzle was constructed by Craig Kasper and was published in the Times on 27 September 2003.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The dance show Miles is watching in the hotel room is MTV's "The Grind," which ran from 1992 until the summer of 1996.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Miles Raymond: Fuck.

Movie Connections:

Features The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

Soundtrack:

ONE YEAR AFTER

Strong Acting, Character Development and Dialogue

I love movies like Sideways for many reasons. One may be that I will never see a commemorative Sideways bottle of wine or the Sideways happy meal at McDonald's. My point is that Sideways is a great movie and nothing more. It doesn't rely on blockbuster star power. It doesn't need flashy special effects or gimmicks. Paul Giammatti performs flawlessly as a flawed and deeply troubled character. I found myself forgetting he was acting. I only saw the character he was playing and became engrossed by his presence. Thomas Haden Church offers a very nice contrast by playing what appears to be a two-dimensional, sophomoric, womanizer. The story is simple and focuses more on character development. It is easy to connect with each of the main characters. They may not be likable but what they are is human. If you can't relate to them personally, they remind you of a family member or close friend. Overall, this film is for those who like movies based in reality, which as you will see can produce some of the most bizarre and comical situations of all. If you like movies with jokes you don't have to think about (Who doesn't from time to time) don't worry, this film has a surprisingly high amount of low brow, immature, vulgar humor, mixed with the dry and subtle. Give it a try. 9/10