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Sideways [2004]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.28 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

With Sideways, Paul Giamatti (American Splendor, Storytelling) has become an unlikely but engaging romantic lead. Struggling novelist and wine connoisseur Miles (Giamatti) takes his best friend Jack (Thomas Haden Church, Wings) on a wine-tasting tour of California vineyards for a kind of extended bachelor party. Almost immediately, Jack's insatiable need to sow some wild oats before his marriage leads them in into double-dates with a rambunctious wine pourer (Sandra Oh, Under the Tuscan Sun) and a recently divorced waitress (Virginia Madsen, The Hot Spot)--and Miles discovers a little hope that he hasn't let himself feel in a long time. Sideways is a modest but finely tuned film; with gentle compassion, it explores the failures, struggles, and lowered expectations of mid-life. Giamatti makes regret and self-loathing sympathetic, almost sweet. From the director of Election and About Schmidt. --Bret Fetzer


if I could rate this zero stars then I would
Review date: 2008-08-03 Rating: 2 out of 10

sideways has recieved many good reviews but i must write this as a warning to anybody thinking of buying this film. the characters are completely unlikable. Miles, the central character, although clearly wounded by a life full of regrets, remains grumpy, pedantic and quite frankly much too self indulgent and self-pitying for us to feel any affection for him. the wine chat which initially sparks some interest as it makes nice use of adjective prose quite quickly becomes dull and pretentious. wine chat also is not sexy and there is a particularly clumsy scence where this becomes painfully obvious.I generally like films which explore sensitive and gentle charcters but this was a terrible diasapointment and if i had the choice again i would save my four pounds. and i promise im not a miserable sod, well i was a bit after watching this film, but not in general.

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Wine and Golf interesting? erh yes...
Review date: 2008-04-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

Two floored characters, a teacher and an actor, go on a week's holiday of wine and golf to "kickback" before one gets wed. It sounds a so/so premis and when my partner chose it for an evening's viewing I huffed and moaned audibly thinking of a hundred other jobs needing doing.

Of course I was wrong.

Hilarious in parts, deeply sad in others, the acting is superb the script is of the kind that can be watched again and again. Giamtti and Hayden-Church are brilliant double act. Giamatti the depressive "Neg-Head" teacher, Hayden Church the self-centerd actor.

Catch the commentary by the two actors too. Great Fun.


Real soul and emotion
Review date: 2008-04-24 Rating: 8 out of 10

Miles Raymond: "This week is not about me. It is about you. I'm gonna show you a good time. We're gonna drink a lot of good wine. We're gonna play some golf. We're gonna eat some great food and enjoy the scenery and we are going to send you off in style, mon frere."
Jack: "And get your bone smooched".


Sideways is a low-budget, Sunday afternoon movie that will put a smile on your face. The story is simple: wine-loving wannabe writer Miles (Paul Giamatti) is taking failed actor Jack (Thomas Haden Church) on a week-long tour of California's wine region to celebrate his old friend's upcoming marriage. But while Miles wants to relax, drink and play golf, Jack is determined to get laid one last time before settling down. Their adventures make for a charming, moving comedy about friendship, love and regret.


"You need to get your joint worked on Miles," says Jack, showing just how different these two characters are: the crass actor and the sensitive writer, linked by being roommates at college, but by little else these days. Viewers will probably identify with one or the other, but the beauty of the script is that these are rounded, believable people with recognisable failings and strengths - one is not superior than the other.


So, while Jack is a bit dim, crude, and thinks largely with his crotch, he's also enthusiastic, loyal and embraces life. And while Miles is funny, clever, and knowledgeable, he is also timid, drink-dependent, and crippled by insecurity ("I'm so insignificant I can't even kill myself...").

Giamatti is a fine actor, but the revelation here is Haden Church, he's gifted terrific lines by writer/director Alexander Payne, but gives his part great heart too. Because for all the laughs, there's real soul and emotion here; a sparkling blend that slips down a treat.


Like marmite. I hate marmite. 0 stars
Review date: 2008-04-01 Rating: 2 out of 10

I decided watch this film off the strength of the glowing reviews and praise for this film. I had also seen 'About Schmidt' a film that I enjoyed from the same director and decided to give this a go. A big mistake. Firstly the two lead characters are completely dislikable and I couldn't relate with either. I did have some sympathy for the depressed and virtually alcoholic Miles, but only because he would have been better in AA instead of on a drink fuelled roadtrip. Secondly, it is incredibly slow going and not even remotely amusing. Laugh? I almost did. I gave the film plenty of chance to redeem itself, but after one and a half hours and still no "laughs", I had to turn it off. A waste of time and money. Save yourself both and avoid!

excellent direction in beautiful drama
Review date: 2008-03-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

The sheer idea of this film is what attracted me to view it. Paul Giamatti's character Miles goes on holiday with his best friend to get away from problems at home and it's a finding yourself type of holiday as the pair encounter various problems and opportunities in California's wine country.

I'm personally not a big wine taster but found the film very deep on the topic and was interested by the facts about different drinks that were encoded. The use of wine is a very symbolic object in this Oscar winning film, and is great as a little sub story to the other topics being covered.

The plot is consistent, intriguing, deep, humorous and different throughout which makes it one of the best comedy dramas of recent times with its use of these qualities and issues, which include loyalty, friendship, marriage and commitment.

These issues are put forward by a superb cast, making true personalities out of their characters, none more so than Giamatti (Cinderella man) whose negative character is stunning to watch as he deals with many issues regarding his personal life. And when things are appearing to go from bad to worse, it is interesting to see how he deals with life and more so himself.

Church's character Jack is almost the complete opposite of Miles, who is more positive and is trying to make the most out of his life and we can see opposites working, showing the differences in personality, an important point to the film.

The settings are marvellous, though some maybe criticized for being conventional, I thought they were great, especially the use of the bar and restaurant.

Despite its strong passionate issues, it's a relaxing and enjoyable watch, with brilliance from all the cast.

The direction is absolute brilliance, particularly one shot where the two central protagonists are sitting on a bench, a sensational drama.

9/10

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Sandra Oh
Paul Giamatti
Thomas Haden Church
Virginia Madsen

Creators:
Paul Giamatti (Primary Contributor)
Thomas Haden Church (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036020527
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2005-05-16
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 122 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004
Language: English (Original Language)

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