Perfect cast, perfect, script, perfect location, tremendous soundtrack. I'm biased, having lived in the Valley for ten wonderful years. Best place on Earth. You couldn't release this movie today. The present audiences haven't the IQ to appreciate what is before them on the screen. Definitely one of the top 100 films.
I was fortunate to see this in a theater. The laughter at moments was off the charts. Made the experience even better. Just re-watched this recently too and still is as funny and enjoyable as the day it came out. Also watched Payne's The Descendants and About Schmidt last week. Sideways is his best IMO of the ones I've seen. I was surprised how little I remembered About Schmidt. I wasn't sure if I had seen it, but after the hot tub scene I did recall I had. I've seen Sideways and The Descendents probably 4 times and always think I might not enjoy them as much as I do prior to watching. Then I remember why I liked them so much.
It is so strange that this movie came out almost twenty years ago! I remember seeing it with my Dad in the theatre. It was a wonderful experience that I still cherish. This movie has absolutely stood the test of time.
I am a big fan of Sideways. It's the film that turned me on to Payne, really, and made me see him as a serious filmmaker. This and Nebraska. You're right about Miles not being able to change/take risks. He holds onto things way too much, and it creates this internal conflict within him, making him his own worst enemy. But Jack is the complete opposite - he takes far too many risks, as exemplified by his actions in the film, and what they ultimately lead to (the broken nose and the wallet-situation). He is like a leaf on the wind, so to speak, just going wherever his desires carry him, which is equally unhealthy, and he almost throws away everything he has for nothing. The film does a great job contrasting these two points-of-view. It's a very Odd Couple-type story, which is one of my favorite kinds. The Holdovers is also very worth a watch.
I really liked this movie despite not being a fan of Sandra Oh because of all the Grey’s Anatomy I have been subjected to. Virginia Madsen is OK, but something about them in this movie works well for me. I can’t imagine anyone else in these roles.
@@crowkangi In the book, Miles took the money cause he was broke, and behind in his rent. In the film, he had a job (a teacher) so why take the money? Something from the book that I think, should have been taken out.
One of my all-time favorite movies. Not only Giamatti's performance, but Haden Church just as much. His nuanced mingling of machismo, friendship, curiosity, and vulnerability is its own delightful tightrope act; one of the most original characters I've experienced. The bonds and blunders between the two define what friendship should be, and their exploits on a comic yet tragic road week ultimately deepen them. Men take a long time to mature, with frequent periods of going sideways, and desperately in need of companionship and understanding along the way.
Your comment about men taking longer to mature makes the topic of wine in the movie so much more symbolic. Thanks for that bit of analysis. I just watched this movie and loved it. I was moved in a way that not many films can achieve.
This movie made me curious about wine, and a soon-after trip along the famous new york wine trail, visiting wineries, learning about the different varieties, tasting the wines instantly turned me into a lifelong wine lover and connosseur. When I say I know wine, I go as far as researching and knowing the good vintage years by world region, based on what the weather was like that season there, as well as reading the story of each important winery. I rarely drink any alcohol, perhaps once every 2 months or so, I just prefer having a clear mind for work, but when I do, a good California cab never leaves more to be desired. But on special occasions, my absolute favorite is a good Barolo.
After Cuckoo's Nest, you choose another fave of mine. Sideways is probably top 5 of this century for me. I think it's just a perfect movie: relatable, flawed characters we care about, a great score that complements the narrative beautifully, some classic moments (Miles and Mia talking about wine, recovering the wallet, seeing his ex at Jack's wedding and many more). It's very funny, very authentic (much like a 70s movie which Payne is kind of obsessed with which is no bad thing) and combines laugh-out-loud comedy with more serious drama whilst being subtle enough to suggest to the audience deeper truths about the characters. The zoom-in shot of Men on the restroom door is key to understanding the whole movie for me. As you say, we are laughing at Miles and Jack and with them. Payne is not mean-spirited: his satire is not cold and detached. He also has a gentle affection for his characters and the performances are sympathetic too. A memorable movie which I revisit frequently.
Ever since it first arrived in theaters I loved Sideways. What struck me this time though is the bland nature of the photography. It almost looks like one of those soap operas that Thomas Hayden Church was to have worked on. It doesn't deter from the experience, but it does beg the question: was this intentional? I think that there bland nature of the visuals adds something to the overall story rather then detracting from it.
Absolutely. Liie fine wine. it gets better with age. A masterpiece! Every actor is spot on. The commenter on this seems unsure. I don't think this movie gets made today (OK the Holdovers is similar) but I used to watch 3-6 movies a week when this movie came out. If I see 3 good movies a yeare today I"m happy. Long live movies aimed at adults and not adults who have not grown out of their comic book phase.
I like how the ending of the sequence ends with punctuation. It's wonderfully chaptered. I enjoy how the monologues at the end of these chapters have meter and rhyme, or I should say the like notation on a sheet of music. It's kind of weird, cause when I'm listening to music, it's like the breath of a sentence. It goes vice versa with dialogue too. I don't know. Anyways. I thought Miles's life was going to keep going sideways, for many more miles until he took that turn. The movie would have been horrible if Maya didn't accept. Honestly, I started watching Sideways years ago, but I turned it off when Maya and Miles were talking about wine. I thought, I don't wanna see this guy screw this up. A little insight into my life back then. I did watch it in its entirety just before seeing The Holdovers, and I loved it.
Sorry, but after watching it, I couldn't for the life of me understand how Jack could just get away with him ending up marrying his fiance after basically lying and cheating with Cynthia which made me kinda despise the movie despite the laughs.
Sideways the movie is, incidentally, a much finer creation than Sideways the book. In fact, I think the screenplay helped salvage the novel, which - as with Miles' manuscript - had been rejected everywhere. The mise en abyme reeks of navel-gazing, frankly. But when you look at the plot through a less self-referential medium, add in the lush visuals of California wine country, and shape the story with clever directing as Payne has done, you end up with a very handsome piece of art.
Perfect cast, perfect, script, perfect location, tremendous soundtrack. I'm biased, having lived in the Valley for ten wonderful years. Best place on Earth. You couldn't release this movie today. The present audiences haven't the IQ to appreciate what is before them on the screen. Definitely one of the top 100 films.
💯!!!!
I was fortunate to see this in a theater. The laughter at moments was off the charts. Made the experience even better. Just re-watched this recently too and still is as funny and enjoyable as the day it came out. Also watched Payne's The Descendants and About Schmidt last week. Sideways is his best IMO of the ones I've seen. I was surprised how little I remembered About Schmidt. I wasn't sure if I had seen it, but after the hot tub scene I did recall I had. I've seen Sideways and The Descendents probably 4 times and always think I might not enjoy them as much as I do prior to watching. Then I remember why I liked them so much.
It is so strange that this movie came out almost twenty years ago! I remember seeing it with my Dad in the theatre. It was a wonderful experience that I still cherish. This movie has absolutely stood the test of time.
I am a big fan of Sideways. It's the film that turned me on to Payne, really, and made me see him as a serious filmmaker. This and Nebraska.
You're right about Miles not being able to change/take risks. He holds onto things way too much, and it creates this internal conflict within him, making him his own worst enemy. But Jack is the complete opposite - he takes far too many risks, as exemplified by his actions in the film, and what they ultimately lead to (the broken nose and the wallet-situation). He is like a leaf on the wind, so to speak, just going wherever his desires carry him, which is equally unhealthy, and he almost throws away everything he has for nothing. The film does a great job contrasting these two points-of-view. It's a very Odd Couple-type story, which is one of my favorite kinds.
The Holdovers is also very worth a watch.
I've seen it. Another fine one from these guys.
I really liked this movie despite not being a fan of Sandra Oh because of all the Grey’s Anatomy I have been subjected to. Virginia Madsen is OK, but something about them in this movie works well for me. I can’t imagine anyone else in these roles.
Love this movie, one of my favorites all time.
This is a great movie. Very funny. Beautifully written.
The woman Miles steals from isn’t just some woman he shouldn’t be stealing from, she’s his mom. Adds to that scummy feel to him
maybe she did something to him? neglect? who knows? he's scummy for a reason.
@@crowkangi In the book, Miles took the money cause he was broke, and behind in his rent. In the film, he had a job (a teacher) so why take the money? Something from the book that I think, should have been taken out.
@@BakedRBeanssadly teachers are underpaid
One of my all-time favorite movies. Not only Giamatti's performance, but Haden Church just as much. His nuanced mingling of machismo, friendship, curiosity, and vulnerability is its own delightful tightrope act; one of the most original characters I've experienced. The bonds and blunders between the two define what friendship should be, and their exploits on a comic yet tragic road week ultimately deepen them. Men take a long time to mature, with frequent periods of going sideways, and desperately in need of companionship and understanding along the way.
Your comment about men taking longer to mature makes the topic of wine in the movie so much more symbolic. Thanks for that bit of analysis.
I just watched this movie and loved it. I was moved in a way that not many films can achieve.
This movie made me curious about wine, and a soon-after trip along the famous new york wine trail, visiting wineries, learning about the different varieties, tasting the wines instantly turned me into a lifelong wine lover and connosseur. When I say I know wine, I go as far as researching and knowing the good vintage years by world region, based on what the weather was like that season there, as well as reading the story of each important winery. I rarely drink any alcohol, perhaps once every 2 months or so, I just prefer having a clear mind for work, but when I do, a good California cab never leaves more to be desired. But on special occasions, my absolute favorite is a good Barolo.
After Cuckoo's Nest, you choose another fave of mine. Sideways is probably top 5 of this century for me. I think it's just a perfect movie: relatable, flawed characters we care about, a great score that complements the narrative beautifully, some classic moments (Miles and Mia talking about wine, recovering the wallet, seeing his ex at Jack's wedding and many more). It's very funny, very authentic (much like a 70s movie which Payne is kind of obsessed with which is no bad thing) and combines laugh-out-loud comedy with more serious drama whilst being subtle enough to suggest to the audience deeper truths about the characters. The zoom-in shot of Men on the restroom door is key to understanding the whole movie for me. As you say, we are laughing at Miles and Jack and with them. Payne is not mean-spirited: his satire is not cold and detached. He also has a gentle affection for his characters and the performances are sympathetic too. A memorable movie which I revisit frequently.
Outstanding
great comment, thank you. Odd coincidence with those two back to back here.
I just watched it today. It still stands up today! I love it!
Amazing acting. Perfect direction- a classic
Ever since it first arrived in theaters I loved Sideways. What struck me this time though is the bland nature of the photography. It almost looks like one of those soap operas that Thomas Hayden Church was to have worked on. It doesn't deter from the experience, but it does beg the question: was this intentional? I think that there bland nature of the visuals adds something to the overall story rather then detracting from it.
Alexander Payne was trying to recreate the 70s look where the film is exposed so that the sunlight flares in the lens. I happen to like it.
thank you
Absolutely. Liie fine wine. it gets better with age. A masterpiece! Every actor is spot on. The commenter on this seems unsure. I don't think this movie gets made today (OK the Holdovers is similar) but I used to watch 3-6 movies a week when this movie came out. If I see 3 good movies a yeare today I"m happy. Long live movies aimed at adults and not adults who have not grown out of their comic book phase.
Great analysis.
Thank you
Thank you for the great analysis. I love the movie. ☺
you're welcome.
I like how the ending of the sequence ends with punctuation.
It's wonderfully chaptered.
I enjoy how the monologues at the end of these chapters have meter and rhyme,
or I should say the like notation on a sheet of music.
It's kind of weird, cause when I'm listening to music, it's like the breath of a sentence.
It goes vice versa with dialogue too. I don't know.
Anyways. I thought Miles's life was going to keep going sideways, for many more miles
until he took that turn. The movie would have been horrible if Maya didn't accept.
Honestly, I started watching Sideways years ago, but I turned it off when Maya and Miles were talking about wine.
I thought, I don't wanna see this guy screw this up.
A little insight into my life back then.
I did watch it in its entirety just before seeing The Holdovers, and I loved it.
awesome movie
Sorry, but after watching it, I couldn't for the life of me understand how Jack could just get away with him ending up marrying his fiance after basically lying and cheating with Cynthia which made me kinda despise the movie despite the laughs.
The oscars were a few days ago, u didnt give us ur oscar reaction, why?
Possibly hasn't watched every film yet.
Bruh. C'mon.
He's doing an LS about the Oscars at this very moment
I saw this comment and responded! Just did a reaction today. The "why" is family and life -- I got to it today.
Sideways the movie is, incidentally, a much finer creation than Sideways the book. In fact, I think the screenplay helped salvage the novel, which - as with Miles' manuscript - had been rejected everywhere. The mise en abyme reeks of navel-gazing, frankly. But when you look at the plot through a less self-referential medium, add in the lush visuals of California wine country, and shape the story with clever directing as Payne has done, you end up with a very handsome piece of art.