I've viewed this movie twice and just like the first time truly laughed out loud at the varying confusion within the two central characters. I also like the more serious and angrier moments they exchange in.
Jack is a typical nearing middle age man who can't leave behind his womanizing even long enough to stop himself from playing around a week before his wedding.
That's not the funny part, the dark humor in Jack's character is that everything is all about "him", despite saying he's trying to help his buddy Miles. Also, the humor comes from his ultimate downfall when he sleeps with one woman too many and it truly costs him in the end.
Miles on the other hand is a man at a loss to what his life is adding up too. He can't get anyone to publish his book,he's been divorced and depressed for two years and talks and deals in wine related topics and situations, instead of dealing with his life.
The humor in the character is that he still pals around with a guy like Jack and again, his wine fixation. Especially in the scene before he & Jack enter the restaurant and he says, "I'm not drinking no (bleep!) Merlot! Almost like a kid who doesn't like spinach!
The California Wine Country backdrop is the perfect setting because it's a statement of how beautiful we grow up thinking life is until we get hit with the ultimate realities.
Thomas Haden Church plays a sort of clueless man,in the sense that he doesn't see how his actions affect other people or even himself,as long as he gets his jollies.
Sandra Oh plays the unfortunate woman who falls for Jacks bull,thinking he's looking for something serious. (Of which he gave the overall impression saying he loves her). She gives Jack exactly what he deserves for playing with her feelings. That's "not" an easy role to play and is gut wrenching to watch.
Paul Giamatti plays a man who thought had a clue or at least all the answers to life, only to have a series of rugs pulled out from under him. I can only guess he stays friends with Jack because he really has no one else to turn too.
Enter Maya whom Miles has known just a waitress at the restaurant he eats at, when he travels north from San Diego. She's a wine devotee' too and recently divorced. Virginia Madsens performance is flawless here. She looks at Miles with longing eyes and you can actually feel what's going on between them. Despite Miles' hesitance.
Overall, it's not a "fall down funny" , all the time comedy.
This is not just a comedy but a serio-comic look at real life.
The reality is, there's plenty of grown men (and women) who are just like the characters presented here. Adults, still figuring out life when they thought they had it straight...which is why it's called "Sideways".
10 stars from me, hands down....or would that be glasses? (END)
Jack is a typical nearing middle age man who can't leave behind his womanizing even long enough to stop himself from playing around a week before his wedding.
That's not the funny part, the dark humor in Jack's character is that everything is all about "him", despite saying he's trying to help his buddy Miles. Also, the humor comes from his ultimate downfall when he sleeps with one woman too many and it truly costs him in the end.
Miles on the other hand is a man at a loss to what his life is adding up too. He can't get anyone to publish his book,he's been divorced and depressed for two years and talks and deals in wine related topics and situations, instead of dealing with his life.
The humor in the character is that he still pals around with a guy like Jack and again, his wine fixation. Especially in the scene before he & Jack enter the restaurant and he says, "I'm not drinking no (bleep!) Merlot! Almost like a kid who doesn't like spinach!
The California Wine Country backdrop is the perfect setting because it's a statement of how beautiful we grow up thinking life is until we get hit with the ultimate realities.
Thomas Haden Church plays a sort of clueless man,in the sense that he doesn't see how his actions affect other people or even himself,as long as he gets his jollies.
Sandra Oh plays the unfortunate woman who falls for Jacks bull,thinking he's looking for something serious. (Of which he gave the overall impression saying he loves her). She gives Jack exactly what he deserves for playing with her feelings. That's "not" an easy role to play and is gut wrenching to watch.
Paul Giamatti plays a man who thought had a clue or at least all the answers to life, only to have a series of rugs pulled out from under him. I can only guess he stays friends with Jack because he really has no one else to turn too.
Enter Maya whom Miles has known just a waitress at the restaurant he eats at, when he travels north from San Diego. She's a wine devotee' too and recently divorced. Virginia Madsens performance is flawless here. She looks at Miles with longing eyes and you can actually feel what's going on between them. Despite Miles' hesitance.
Overall, it's not a "fall down funny" , all the time comedy.
This is not just a comedy but a serio-comic look at real life.
The reality is, there's plenty of grown men (and women) who are just like the characters presented here. Adults, still figuring out life when they thought they had it straight...which is why it's called "Sideways".
10 stars from me, hands down....or would that be glasses? (END)