Sideways
- Release Date
- October 22, 2004
- Director
- Alexander Payne
- Cast
- Paul Giamatti , Thomas Haden Church , Virginia Madsen , Sandra Oh , Marylouise Burke , Jessica Hecht
- Runtime
- 124
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Writers
- Rex Pickett , Alexander Payne , Jim Taylor
- Tagline
- In search of wine. In search of women. In search of themselves.
Summary
Writer-director Alexander Payne's fourth feature film (following CITIZEN RUTH, ELECTION and ABOUT SCHMIDT) starts with two old friends setting off on a wine-tasting road trip . . . only to veer dizzily into a wry exploration of the vicissitudes of love and friendship, the damnable persistence of loneliness and dreams and the enduring war between Pinot and Cabernet. The misadventures begin when Miles (Paul Giamatti), an un-recovered divorcé and would-be novelist with a wine fixation, decides to gift old college buddy and washed-up actor Jack (Thomas Haden Church) with a celebratory trip to the vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley the week before Jack's wedding. The two couldn't be an odder couple. Jack is an over-sexed charmer; Miles is a sad-sack worrier. Jack is looking for his "last taste of freedom"; Miles just wants to taste perfection in a bottle. Jack is fine with cheap Merlot; Miles pines for the elusive, perfect Pinot. Indeed, the only thing they seem to share in common is the same heady mix of failed ambitions and fading youth. And yet, as they make their way up the coast, Miles and Jack soon find themselves drowning in wine and women. Jack falls head-over-heels for a local wine pourer (Sandra Oh) and threatens to call off his nuptials. Miles begins his own romantic encounter with a wine-savvy waitress (Virginia Madsen). Both men careen dangerously and comically toward mid-life crises. Now, the wedding approaches and with it the certainty that Miles and Jack won't make it back to Los Angeles unscathed or unchanged . . . if they get back there at all.
latest
Sandra Oh's Best Performances, Ranked
Sandra Oh remains a definite force in the world of movies and television. Here are her very best performances, ranked.
Why Alexander Payne's Sideways Deserves Another Look
Nearly 20 years after its initial release, here's another look at Alexander Payne's movie Sideways.
Kristen Wiig Replaces Reese Witherspooon in Downsizing
After being attached for more than a year, Reese Witherspoon has left Downsizing, with Kristen Wiig coming aboard to replace her.
Dead Rising Poster: Jesse Metcalfe Fights a Zombie Army
Jesse Metcalfe wields a 'sledge saw' in the first poster for Crackle's upcoming digital feature Dead Rising: Watchtower.
Reese Witherspoon Teams with Matt Damon in Downsizing
Reese Witherspoon has signed on for an unspecified role in Downsizing, centering on Matt Damon's character who tries to shrink himself.
Matt Damon Joins Downsizing for Director Alexander Payne
Matt Damon will star as a man who realizes life would be better if he shrunk himself in Alexander Payne's Downsizing.
Nebraska Blu-ray Featurette [Exclusive]
Director Alexander Payne discusses the challenges of bringing the screenplay to life, available on Blu-ray February 25.
Alexander Payne Teams Up with Fox Searchlight for The Judge's Will
The story centers on an Indian judge who worries that his younger wife will be an outcast after he dies. Conde Nast Entertainment is producing.
Thomas Haden Church and Margo Martindale Join Heaven Is for Real
Production is currently under way on director Randall Wallce's adaptation of Todd Burpo's book chronicling his son's powerful story.
The Congress Photos with Robin Wright
Drafthouse Films has acquired distribution rights to director Ari Folman's drama about a struggling actress trying to preserve her digital image.
Between Us Trailer Starring Julia Stiles
Dan Mirvish directs this drama about four friends who reunite over two evenings, premiering at the Slamdance Film Festival on January 20th.
Saving Mr. Banks Begins Production in Los Angeles
Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson star as Walt Disney and author P.L. Travers in this drama about bringing Mary Poppins to the big screen.
Wild Oats Goes to Dimension Films
Shirley MacLaine, Jacki Weaver, and Alan Arkin star in this road-trip comedy from director Howard Deutch.
Brian Gallagher's Top 10 Movies of 2011
Take a look at my picks for the most underrated and overrated movies of the last year.
Second The Descendants Trailer
George Clooney stars as a father whose life is turned upside down when his wife goes into a coma after a boating accident.
Killer Joe Clip and Photos Featuring Emile Hirsch and Matthew McConaughey
Emile Hirsch, Matthew McConaughey, Thomas Haden Church, Gina Gershon, and Juno Temple star in William Friedkin's drug thriller.
The Descendants Trailer
George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, and Matthew Lillard star in this dramatic comedy about a father and husband who re-evaluates his life after his wife's accident.
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Limitless Takes Over the Box Office with $19 Million!
While Rango and Battle: Los Angeles hold their ground at second and third place, respectively.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS: Will Battle: Los Angeles Be Able to Defend Its Spot at the Top of the Charts?
Or does Limitless, Paul and The Lincoln Lawyer stand a chance at taking down the reigning champ this weekend?
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Battle: Los Angeles Destroys the Box Office with $36 Million!
While Rango falls to second place and Red Riding Hood debuts at number three.