I think it's safe to say that a trip through wine country isn't for everyone. That being said, I think Sideways might have a similar niche market. Critical acclaim aside, this film was good, but let's be hones -- there really wasn't a whole lot to really grasp an audience's attention.
Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti), a failed writer is all set to throw his best friend Jack (Thomas Hayden Church) the best week of his life as they drive through wine country. It is to be a guy week, and in lieu of the usual night of strippers and debauchery, Miles plans to teach Jack all about the art of wine tasting.
Jack has a different plan. Much to Miles' disappointment, Jack's intentions are to simply bed any willing woman before the big wedding night. As they trek through Miles' usual tasting spots, they run into Maya (Virginia Madsen) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh) and Jack see his opportunity. He mistakes lust for love, and spends the entire week with Stephanie leaving a depressed Miles to finally get to know the object of his long affection--Maya.
The secret slips, and Stephanie finds out about Jack's wedding. After a brutal assault with her motorcycle helmet, Jack is left with a broken heart and broken nose days before his wedding. Miles is left with nothing as Maya, the only one he really cares for, no longer trusts him.
Jack stages a car wreck by totaling Miles' car against a large tree, and his fiancé buys his cover. They pair are married broken nose and all. Miles has a breakdown as he feels he is at his lowest point, but in the end, he drives back to wine country in pursuit of his true love.
The plot isn't too exciting but the cast really pulls it together. This pair is the most unlikely since Lemmon and Mattheau, but they really play well together. Several funny moments slice up the monotony of long stretches of dialogue.
If you aren't a connoisseur of wine, you might miss some of the references, but everyone can identify with these characters. They beautifully portray confusion and longing in a search for something missing, whatever that may be. Thomas Hayden Church pulls a three sixty as he delivers a hysterical performance as the stereotypical male and Paul Giamatti is as good as always.
In short, there isn't much here, but the cast has made a flat script come to life as they take their audience on an emotional journey. Critics love this one, but don't let the hype build a façade in you mind, and you just might enjoy it.
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Josh Gloer, Movie Correspondent
You can find Josh's column One Harsh Critic at http://oneharshcritic.gather.com.
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Comments: 13
My favorite scene was when Miles and Maya were having a conversation on the porch. She wanted to know why he was so into Pinot and he gave her a tender explanation about the characteristics of the type of grape used. It was a sweet, romantic metaphor that showed a more appealing side of Miles and made it believable that Stephanie could fall for him.
I think this is one of those movies where you may not want to hang out with these characters but they're entertaining to watch.