Sideways Review

Author: STEPHANIE DOSCH

I am not a wine connoisseur, so after seeing Alexander Payne's "Sideways," I decided to do a little research. A good Pinot Noir, I discovered, is complex and flavorful, yet delicate, full-bodied and rich, but not heavy, has the texture of liquid silk and is high in alcohol. Other descriptors included fickle, seductively enchanting and intense - descriptions that also fit the movie.

Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church star as Miles and Jack, two middle-aged friends who embark on a wine-tasting road trip through California's wine-growing region. The trip is a gift from depressed divorcé, would-be writer and wine enthusiast Miles to Jack, a has-been wannabe actor and experienced charmer - a last hurrah before Jack ties the knot. But what was meant as a relaxing week of food, wine and golf soon devolves into a funny exploration of love, friendship and the subtle differences between Pinot and Cabernet.

Jack sees the trip as his last taste of freedom and plans to act accordingly. So when the friends meet Maya (Virginia Madsen), a wine-savvy waitress, and Stephanie (Sandra Oh), a sexy wine-pourer at a local vineyard, Jack jumps at the opportunity for one last romp and encourages Miles to do the same. Miles likes Maya but isn't ready to move on from his divorce. Meanwhile, Jack falls for Stephanie and threatens to call off his nuptials. Miles tries to keep Jack on the straight-and-narrow, but the friends spiral into a deception as dizzying as a few too many bottles of cheap Merlot, causing them to reflect on their own failed dreams and hopes for happiness.

Written and directed by Alexander Payne ("Election," "About Schmidt"), "Sideways" is as wry and witty as they come. A stunning dialogue between Miles and Maya about the subtleties of Pinot Noir, Miles' preferred varietal (he hates Merlot), has already sent its sales soaring. But while the script contains all of the film's flavors, it is the actors who bring them out. Madsen and Church have both been nominated for Academy Awards for their supporting roles in the movie. On the other hand, Giamatti, who delivers a superbly subtle performance, is noticeably missing from the Best Actor category, to the chagrin of many critics.

Nevertheless, "Sideways" has been nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and deservedly so. They say a great Pinot Noir creates a lasting impression on the palate and in the memory, and "Sideways" is no different. Actor and script come together to create a heady mix of introspection, audacity, comedy and romance, as deliciously intoxicating as a case of the finest Californian wines. Or for us college students, a box of Franzia or jug of Carlo.



"Sideways" is playing in Middlebury at the Marquis Theater, at the Majestic 10 in Williston and at the Essex Outlets Cinema in Essex Junction.