I've seen "Sideways" twice now - once when it was released and just recently after a twenty year gap. It's still a decent buddy comedy with some excellent dialog but it just doesn't have the robust body and long finish that I'm looking for.
The setup is pretty simple. Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church are a pair of long-time friends who wouldn't even be acquaintances except for the accident of sharing a room at university. They are, in most conceivable ways, polar opposites. Church is a so-so actor, a womaniser and a boor. Meanwhile Giamatti is an uptight oenophile reeling from his divorce and a bit of a sad-sack.
However they're thrown together on a pre-marital week of wine tasting (or glugging) in the California vineyards. Cue low-end motel rooms, bachelor shenanigans and a moderate level of soul-searching. This all passes the time quite easily although I can't say that the characters really attain some sort of change. They end as they begin.
This doesn't make "Sideways" a bad film as it's really quite enjoyable and the script contains some great one-liners. But it's not in the medal-winning category either so it's best not to expect too much. Best enjoyed on a wet weeknight rather than put on as your favourite film ever to the date that you're aiming to impress.
The setup is pretty simple. Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church are a pair of long-time friends who wouldn't even be acquaintances except for the accident of sharing a room at university. They are, in most conceivable ways, polar opposites. Church is a so-so actor, a womaniser and a boor. Meanwhile Giamatti is an uptight oenophile reeling from his divorce and a bit of a sad-sack.
However they're thrown together on a pre-marital week of wine tasting (or glugging) in the California vineyards. Cue low-end motel rooms, bachelor shenanigans and a moderate level of soul-searching. This all passes the time quite easily although I can't say that the characters really attain some sort of change. They end as they begin.
This doesn't make "Sideways" a bad film as it's really quite enjoyable and the script contains some great one-liners. But it's not in the medal-winning category either so it's best not to expect too much. Best enjoyed on a wet weeknight rather than put on as your favourite film ever to the date that you're aiming to impress.
Tell Your Friends