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Reviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
SIDEWAYS
Paul Giamatti's Miles is an obviously clever mix of the obsessive-compulsiveness of Election's
Tracy Flick and the snobbishness of Warren R. Schmidt. Miles is
taking a road trip with his longtime friend Jack (Thomas Haden Church) through California's
wine country, celebrating Jack's final week as a bachelor. While Miles envisions this as
a relaxing week of wine-tasting and teaching Jack the finer points of pinot,
Jack's intents merely to get laid one last time. Still bruised from his divorce (of two years
earlier), Miles reluctantly agrees, after much brow beating from Jack, to go on a double date with Jack and two local women
(Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh).
The plot of Sideways is so simple that it is astounding the way Payne is able to securely draw you in and
create complex (and full-bodied, as Miles might say) characters. The film is hysterical, due mainly to Thomas Haden Church. As a one-time soap opera star now
demoted to commercial voice-overs (that's him you hear rambling off the
life-threatening side effects of anti-depression medication), Church is completely
beside himself, whether he is on the prowl or attempting to be sincere. And Virginia
Madsen is touching as Maya, a waitress who knows just enough about wine to pique
the otherwise unattainable interest of Miles. In a scene where the potential couple
discuss their equal affection for wine, Madsen is so tonally perfect that her words bring
immediate notice to the smart, but not precocious, dialogue. But it is Paul Giamatti who
ultimately makes the experience so gratifying. Giamatti delivers a character so rich in
mannerism and expression that Miles is able to gain our sympathy even when we feel
at times he is getting exactly what he deserves.
Sideways has been getting a lot of year-end attention and it only takes one viewing
to figure out why. What Payne has done here is created a film not for any one
demographic, but for those who simply love going to the movies. With moving
performances, an impeccable screenplay, and assured directing, this is storytelling in its
finest form. Michael Belkewitch
DVD Extras: Aside from the actual film, the commentary by Giamatti and Church is the
highlight of this DVD. The banter, laughter, and praise that the actors
engage in makes you feel like they ARE Miles and Jack, the best of
friends - but somehow more even-tempered and sensible. Hearing their
opinions makes it difficult for someone NOT to enjoy every minute detail
from the music to the lighting. A second viewing of the film is
necessary to relive the dialogue the actors comment on and in so doing,
enjoy it even more. The seven deleted scenes include explanations from
Payne on why they were cut. Some of
the scenes are pleasing, but none would have really added much had they
been kept in. And a behind-the-scenes featurette - using snippets of
interviews with actors Giamatti and Church and the
director - is appealing to some degree but a bit too short to delve into
the film’s production. Mallory Potosky
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Director Alexander Payne has arrived. If Election didn't have you laughing your head off, and About
Schmidt didn't make you cry, then Sideways will have you doing both. His film expertly
walks the fine line between farce and subtlety. Once again he has created a central character so needy
that the very act of watching the film is painful and yet undeniably entertaining.