Movie of the Week

This Week,

SIDEWAYS (2004)

Starring- Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virgina Madsen, Sandra Oh

In the lead-up to my wedding, I watched this movie countless times. I want to qualify that last statement with this thought, I did not aspire to do any of the things these men did in the film. This film is a first rate example of what not to do before you get married.

Sideways chronicles two friends' trip to Santa Barbara wine country prior to one's wedding. The film is a great tale of the last fling before marriage, but it is also so much more. The two main characters, Jack and Miles, are such lying, disingenuous cads that you can't help but find everything they do horrifying and hilarious. Sideways feels like an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, because you are constantly surprised at how low the main characters are willing to go, but there is still something endearing about them as well.

Not only is this film funny and quirky indie fair, it has a great poppy jazz soundtrack, beautiful cinematography and a great slice of wine culture. I don't really like wine, but since seeing Sideways I have tried to get into it- just because this film made it look so appealing.

The dialogue and relationships in the film are very flawed, and that is why they ring true. Giamatti and Haden Church are such great foils for each other, and the women really make them multi-dimensional misanthropes. If you haven't seen this movie, watch it. If you have, watch it again, and then give yourself a little gift. Watch it with the commentary by Giamatti and Haden Church- it is almost funnier than the movie itself. I can say that it is the best commentary- ever. Raise a glass of pinot, not merlot, and enjoy a modern classic.

"You need to get your joint worked on."