Sideways Movie Review by Ryan A. Loera

Stars:
Paul Giamatti - Miles
Thomas Haden Church - Jack
Virginia Madsen - Maya
Sandra Oh - Stephanie

Director: Alexander Payne
Story by: Rex Pickett
Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Awards: Academy Award for Best Writing
Adapted Screenplay
Release Date: October 12, 2004
Genre: Comedy-drama
Rated R

Take two near middle aged men, send them to Santa Barbara Wine Country and have them drink copious amounts of wine. That’s the foundation of Sideways.

Miles (Paul Giamatti) is a struggling writer who teaches English to 8th graders when he's not writing. When his friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church), announces his engagement Miles plans a week long bachelor's vacation in Santa Barbara Wine Country.

Jack sees it as an opportunity to sleep with as many women as possible before getting married. Miles just sees it as a bonding experience and a chance to teach Jack a little bit about wine.

Along the way, they drink many glasses of wine and meet two interesting ladies.

Maya (Virginia Madsen) waitresses at a restaurant called The Hitching Post. Miles has had a bit of a crush on her since first meeting her the year before. Jack tries to get Miles to ask her out but Miles hates being forced into doing something.

Later, they meet Stephanie (Sandra Oh) at a local vineyard. Her and Jack immediately hit it off. It turns out Stephanie and Maya are best friends and completely open to going on a double date with Jack and Miles. Miles is reluctant at first but loosens up after a couple of glasses of wine. Maya is definitely attracted to him but she respects his personal space.

Jack and Stephanie throw caution to the wind and dive head first into a passionate relationship. By passionate I mean they do it like rabbits every chance they get.

Eventually, Miles let's it slip to Maya that Jack is getting married. Maya then tells Stephanie who then beats Jack's nose to a bloody pulp.

There's lots of vineyard lingo used throughout the movie but it's not too difficult to follow.

Each actors' performance really stands out. Their characters are easy to relate to. I would say I identify with Miles the most. I know what it’s like to be a struggling writer.

On a scale of 1 tamale to 10 tamales I give Sideways 8.5 spicy tamales.

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:-)