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Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh, Marylouise Burke ... see more see more... , Jessica Hecht , Missy Doty , M.C. Gainey , Robert Covarrubias , Stephanie Faracy , Duke Moosekian , Patrick Gallagher , Toni Howard , Peter Dennis , Robert Trow , Phil Reeves , Alysia Reiner , Joe Marinelli , Chris Burroughs , Rev. Fr. Khoren Babouchian , Lee Brooks , Alison Herson , Lacey Rae , Cesar "Cheeser" Ramos , Daniel Rogers , Natalie Carter , Simon Kassis , Sevag Kendirjian , Heghine (Helen) Harboyan , Gohar Toranyan , Shake Toukhmanian , Shake Tukhmanyan , Shaun Duke

Directed by Alexander Payne, Sideways follows Miles (Paul Giamatti), who is distressed about his lack of success as a novelist, and Jack (Thomas Haden Church), an equally unsuccessful actor with a rap... read more read more...idly approaching wedding. In a last-ditch effort to sow their wild oats, Jack and Miles take off on a final road trip to California's wine country the week prior to Jack's wedding. Both men have goals for the vacation -- Miles wants to turn Jack on to the art of wine tasting, while Jack is concerned with exploiting his last days as a bachelor -- but when the two men come across two fascinating women (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh), the duo is forced to examine their morality, and if maturity isn't such a depressing prospect -- at least, for one of them. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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77% liked it

171,256 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

220 critics

R, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: Alexander Payne

Release Date: September 13, 2004

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DVD Release Date: April 5, 2005

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Stats: 12,357 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (12,357)

  • danperry17
    May 23, 2012
    danperry17
    Here's my review from the first time I watched this: "I think I was too young for this one... maybe I'll try again during my own mid-life crisis."

    Upon re-watching, I'm bumping this rating up by a full star. This is a story of a real-life J. Alfred Prufrock, preparing a face t... read moreo meet the faces that he meets, and in general, always being let down by life. There may be too many slow music montages, the one metaphor just before the hour mark is _way_ too heavy-handed, and the whole parade-your-pain style of creativity isn't for everyone, but this film has a lot going for it.

    A couple of years ago, a friend told me that Paul Giamatti was "robbed" of the Oscar for this film. I bit my tongue. But his character is so believable. The story is honest, engrossing, and the "too real" bits only last so long before moving into more absurd, depressing, blackly funny and/or poetically just moments. That might be the best way to describe Sideways: an okay movie made up of great moments, as two friends embark on a road trip through wine country: Paul Giamatti is like the angel on one shoulder and Thomas Haden Church the devil on the other, and where this movie shines is in their conflict. Like all male friendships, they sort of love each other, but they sort of want to beat each other up...

    Oh, and the first time I watched this movie, it was on an airplane. My money says that some parts were omitted to keep it safe if somebody's kid turned it on. With adequate time and space to appreciate all the aromatic notes of the film's flavour, perhaps (like a fine wine) this one gets better with age.**

    **-WINNER, Corniest Review Sentence I've Ever Written
  • imrealgod
    February 18, 2012
    imrealgod
    A delicious slice of entertainment. The acting and writing complement each other perfectly. The ending was kind of a let-upper, but except for it, I can't recall anything worth complain about. (However, I don't think that will be the problem with others.] Besides, I wasn't expect... read moreing it to be this entertaining; gave me more than I was looking for into it. Whether or not you're into wines, this one, at the very least, ought to fulfill your thirst of entertainment.
  • fb100002359227440
    January 28, 2012
    fb100002359227440
    A lovable and funny comedy with the typical humor from Alexander Payne. Fresh.
  • fb223580
    December 29, 2011
    fb223580
    Lovely, splendid movie. Despite the indie production value, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen because of the fluid conversation, engaging characters and in-your-face genuineness. No matter how depressing, I appreciate honesty in every aspect of my life (which explains why ... read moreI'm such a big Judd Apatow fan) and when Alexander Payne can deliver that in such an aesthetically watchable vehicle, it's just a gift to his audience. Paul Giamatti captivated me with his personal, intense expositions on wine, and could make me laugh out loud with a single sardonic quip. The script was so divine, I forgot I was watching a movie and felt like I was part of the conversation, watching real people struggle with their issues, struggle with their friends. Sandra Oh kicked butt as usual, but I was particularly won over by Virginia Madsen's beautifully sensitive performance. Just a delightful movie by any measure.

    I was fortunate enough to be able to round up my family to watch this on Christmas Day, as we swirled and drank our leftover Australian and French reds with Camemberts, fresh mangos, cherries and grapes. There was one golf scene that sent my Dad into the hardest laughing fit I have ever seen in my life. His face was scrunched up, seized by the chuckles for a couple minutes and I think he almost sprained his stomach. He's also a huge wine buff, so I think he enjoyed the movie.
  • paulkoh110
    December 29, 2011
    paulkoh110
    Big fan of Alexander Payne and this proved that his films are always a fun watch. Paul Giamatti was hilarious and Thomas Haden Church was a great match. The story has its ups and downs and eventually keeps us following behind.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 29, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    I was very much looking forward to seeing this film, and after hearing good things about it, gave it a shot. The film starts well enough and has a good cast. However, the film was quite boring, and though there were some great performances here, I just didn't like the film that m... read moreuch. The film just wasn't my cup of tea. There were some good performances here, however I lost interest in the film and ended up not really caring about in the end. Sideways, was disappointing for me, and I felt that by the second half of the film it went into a totally over dramatic storyline. At first the film was great, but it slowly dissolved and became uninteresting. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy films like this; however I felt that Sideways could have been done much better. In the end, I didn't see anything that special about it. I felt that that halfway through the film there was too much going on and that the film tried to do too many things at once. Unfortunately, I didn't like the film and I thought it was a waste of time. I was surprised that I didn't enjoy this, because I do like dramedies such as this, but by the films conclusion, there was just too much that I really didn't it, and felt that director Alexander Payne tried to fit too much material into one film. I was disappointed and the end result wasn't satisfying.
  • clintervin
    September 23, 2011
    clintervin
    I loved this movie! It's the quirkiest buddy movie/comedy/romance I can recall. Director Alexander Payne has crafted a deliciously offbeat film. It is heartbreaking and funny; its subtlety and desperation are unusual for a mainstream Hollywood movie in much the same way that Payn... read moree's Election is an atypical high school film. This is a masterpiece about both the failure and the potential of middle age.

    The main male characters, Miles and Jack, strangely complement each other. They couldn't be more different, and its hard to imagine them being friends. Their goals, insecurities, and instincts, differ vastly resulting in both awful and hilarious consequences. Miles' frustration erupts in his upending a swill bucket while Jack nails anything that moves, terming that his "plight."

    The female leads are incredible as well. Sandra Oh delivers an outrageous performance, and I was in love with Virginia Madsen at the end of the film. The fact that this movie brought her back into the national spotlight is one of its greatest accomplishments. She represents the second chance at happiness that we all crave so badly. It's a very poignant, human love story.

    No scene is superfluous in Sideways. The naked husband running down the street is raucously funny, at least. Maybe my favorite and the least expected along with the swill bucket, is the staged car accident to cover up the well-deserved beating inflicted on Jack. Its both a hilarious and bittersweet journey into midlife.
  • cosmo313
    September 9, 2011
    cosmo313
    A very smart, poignant, well written film that is loaded with hillarity. I can't think of a better or more talented cast for a film about finding oneself during a mid-life crisis in California's wine country.

    The film, typical of Payne's work, is a nice bittersweet mixture of fu... read morenny and sad, but it's got an undeniable realness about it, so, despite some uncomfortableness now and then, it works quite well and makes it easier to relate to.

    The cast was perfectly picked, and they give some Oscar calier performances. It's just too bad they all got snubbed. At least this film got a Best Picture nod, even if it too got snubbed.

    I suppose this film is the source of annoyance and irritation for people who work and liquor stores and wineries, havign to deal with people who go to rip on merlot or pick up some pinot noir, but hey, at least it's a sign this movie was wathced and enjoyed by people.

    Give this one a shot. It's a touching and nice film that really sings.
  • stevenecarrier
    June 15, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    Alexander Payne's "Sideways" is a lovely film about human flaws. This sparkling comedy features honest performances and works as a constant reminder for how dialogue can be absolutely magical.
  • DreamExtractor
    April 13, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Life is short, spend it fun. A funny life drama film, the two are a great duo team and really cool. The story was actually very good too, I understand the praise too. But my problem was some moments in the movie dragged on and were boring, but soon got right back on track. A r... read moreeally nice and fun movie.

View All Sideways Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 13, 2012
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Payne does know how to capture two kinds of male menopause. But I can't say he ever surprised me. Full Review

David Ansen
November 1, 2007
David Ansen, Newsweek

Sideways stays resolutely life-size. And that, in this age of hype and hyperventilation, may be the most radical thing about it. Full Review

Roger Moore
November 19, 2004
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Payne has made a movie for the same sorts of people, one with body and 'nose' and character that movie lovers will savor long after the credits have rolled. Full Review

Eric Harrison
November 12, 2004
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

This isn't the sort of road comedy we're used to seeing. Its humor is more likely to provoke smiles and light chuckles than guffaws. Full Review

Joe Baltake
November 12, 2004
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

The film's Cassavetes-style aimlessness (think of it as a West Coast Husbands) gets a jolt when each of the guys pairs up with a willing woman. Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
November 11, 2004
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The acting is superb, from the free-spirited Oh to the compassionate Madsen to the irresponsible Church. The standout is Giamatti. Full Review

Terry Lawson
November 5, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

From its first minutes, maybe even from the credits, you know you are seeing something very special. Full Review

Tom Long
November 5, 2004
Tom Long, Detroit News

Sideways is one of those films that's a bit too good to review: It strikes a unique tone, blends a bit of tall-tale fun with everyday life, and pretty much hits every note in your psyche.

Robert Denerstein
November 5, 2004
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Sideways is neither effete nor snooty. It's a knowing, often-tender comedy about the plight of middle-aged men who aren't exactly living fast-track lives.

Lisa Kennedy
November 5, 2004
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

With each new film, Payne and Taylor plane the edges of their wit. Yet this growing maturity merely buffs their work; it's not dulled one bit. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Miles Raymond: Quaffable but far from transcending.
    • Jack Lapate: See? rigth there... that's beautiful. A smudge of excrement... I could never write that.
    • Jack Lapate: Youre a bad, bad, girl Stephanie.
    • Stephanie: I know and I need to be spanked.
    • Miles Raymond: It tastes like the back of a fucking L.A. school bus. Now they probably didn't de-stem, hoping for some semblance of concentration, crushed it up with leaves and mice, and then wound up with this rancid tar and turpentine bullshit. Fuckin' Raid.
    • Jack Lapate: Tastes pretty good to me.
    • Jack Lapate: Listen, man. Cammi gets off in an hour, so I was thinking I'd just hang around and have a drink, and make sure she gets home safe.
    • Jack Lapate: If they want to drink Merlot, we're drinking Merlot.
    • Miles Raymond: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any fucking Merlot!
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Sideways Trivia

  • "Did you drink and dial?" is a quote from what movie?  Answer »
  • Who directed Sideways?  Answer »
  • Who played Miles in Sideways  Answer »
  • In Sideways Sandra Oh learned how to ride a motorcycle for her part in this film.  Answer »
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