SIDEWAYS Discussion

This or HUCKABEES is the best film of the year.

This film knocked me on my knees. Goddamn, what a fucking great film.

Beautiful analysis, Werbal, I agree. SIDEWAYS was unforgettable.

Wrote this in the main sewer thread.


Character, character, character --

Payne is a master at this. It's so impressive the way he takes his time revealing the nuance of his characters meticulously, setting up extra details and texture to the narrative in a slow and gradual process. It feels so authentic to "real life", and even compares favorably to Altman's masterful perception shifts of his own fictional personalities. Moments which might come across as uneventful in other Hollywood flicks, feel elevated into epic emotional epiphanies, and that's due to Payne's characters looming so large in your heart and mind. His discipline and fearlessness as a storyteller ultimately left me with the afterglow wallop of overwhelmingly vivid characterizations. You won't easily shake these "people" when you leave the theater.

When the film began I couldn't imagine spending the next two hours with Giamatti's morose shlub. He was so depressing and sad, it was tough for me to completely empathize with him. Sure, he was amusing at first as spectacle -- look at what a loser he is -- but this had the potential of becoming alienating and one note. But then came this precise tonal moment at his mother's home, and damn, if I'm not completely hooked into his psyche. And the film just keeps adding layer upon layer of depth to all the characters in this manner. By the end credits, I've come to the realization that this is the best damn film I've seen all year, hands down. It all adds up.

Some choice greatness.....

-Virginia Madsen explaining why she likes wine is one of the most emotive monologues/scenes I've ever experienced. Not just for what she says or how she says it, but Giamatti's wordless reaction to it all. Perfection. I knew she had the chops in "The Hot Spot", so her performance here wasn't the revelation it seems to be for many other critics, but she was just fantastic. You will miss her presence whenever she's offscreen.

-The double date in the restaurant setpiece is so masterful and vividly real in it's sensory depiction of Giammati's headspace, I actually wanted to applaud.

-Paul Giamatti & Thomas Haden Church I love these guys -- love their friendship. You begin to wonder half way through the narrative, how the hell they became and stayed friends. What kept their ancient friendship from college, together all these years. But then there's this superb golf sequence, and it totally clicks. Excellent characterization. Church in particular, while frickin' hilarious, remains a REAL character at all times.

-Yes, Paul Giamatti is a national treasure.


Definitely one the great buddy/road movies ever, and it will be nominated for Best Picture, actor, supporting actress, and best director. Count on it.

Spoiler
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I've been thinking about a particular sequence near the end of the flick, that obviously feels inspired by a couple of scenes in "Pulp Fiction" -- the one where Butch goes back to his apartment for the watch, and the "Samurai avenger" moment. I think Sidways trumps both of them in terms of giddy tension level and audience identification, and that's mostly due to the scenario being even zanier (but real), and the fact that the viewer knows and cares about Paul Giamatti's character more than Willis.

question... in the second (?) bar scene, is the jukebox playing the BAYWATCH theme?

Really looking forward to seeing this. If it's 1/2 as good as "Election" was, it will be well worth seeing in theaters.

It's better than Election (a film which I really enjoy). It's better simply because it's a richer film that's incredibly well-written and acted. Seriously, I don't like wine AT ALL, and yet this film makes me want to go out and become an afficionado.

I'd have to agree with that.

I'd love to add some startling insight, but all I can come up with is "Me likey; Virginia Madsen purty"..

Nah, I think the film may have been too slight to really be "great" - it's too specific to the characters to necessarily have some universal meaning, IMO - but it's just fucking A+ level across the board - script, acting, whatever. About as solid a film as you can make.

I thought the first half was really slow, but I think it all paid off in the end. Don't hate me for having a four-second attention span. Sandra Oh looked and acted amazing and Paul Giammetti is one of the most underrated actors in the biz.

I think Giamatti has been called "underrated" by enough people and/or reviewers that he may actually vault right past "rated" into "overrated"

First Tony Shalub and now Thomas Haden Church. Who knew Wings had so much under used talent. I wonder what Crystal Bernard is doing?

I don't think you can ever call Paul Giamatt overrated. That's usually reserved for traditional leading men and Giamatt will always be a character actor which is a good thing.

As for the movie I was surprised at how much I liked it. All that hype usually has me over-estimating how good it will be. And as great as Giamatt and Madsen were, Thomas Hayden Church as Jack owned this movie. Miles called him pefectly, a fucking infant(something like that). It was all in the moment for him. He loves Christine, then Stephanie, then wants to fuck a fat chick, then can't live w/out Christine. I would love to see a movie about his life after marriage. Jack needs his own movie.

Finally saw this, and it impressed the hell out of me. I just love everything about this film.

I finally saw this lat night and I was blown away. Just a wonderful script with fantastic ensemble acting and sure handed direction.

Definitely my top two films of the year as well.

Loved it. Amazing characters. It would be great if it won best picture but I doubt it. Either Aviator or Million Dollar Baby will win.

I also like it a lot. My favorite part was the fact that everything had charm and character. It was very real. I noticed the little details like the Fish Oil tablets on Maya's table, which while not necessarily significant, were the kind of background details that make the characters seem like real people, as opposed to typical movie characters. They have messy houses and old cars and odd habits, just like us.

Maybe I'm rambling...but everything seemed realistic and lived in and that lent an air of credibility to the film. Anyone else get that feeling?

I saw this again last night and I am even more bowled over than before. The absolute power in Giamatti's eyes to say everything that is inside of him is amazing. I wish he recieved a nomination for this, I truly do. Church blew me away. He and Madsen deserve their nominations, but I wish that Giamatti could have joined them. But the thing I love the most about this movie is the STORY. This movie has a true, painful, beautiful story. That is one big thing that a lot of movies today are missing: STORIES. Not necessarily plotlines and twists, but stories. And without a good story, any plot or twist is pointless. Thank God that Alexander Payne is a supremely talented storyteller.

Sideways and Huckabees the best movies of the year? I'll second that.

Finally saw it tonight... liked it a lot. The pacing and structure rubbed me the wrong way. I thought the 2nd act was way too short. It went from setup to good times to shitfest in a heartbeat. But the final 15 minutes made it all more than worth it.

I don't agree with Giamatti's omission from the Best Actor category this year, but I understand why it happened. He didn't have "the scene." He nailed his character. Every tone of voice, every glance, every bat of the eye, every smirk and facial movement was perfect. But it was the subtleness. He never had the big explosive moment that is associated with award-winning performances. The academy really missed the boat on this one. It's as if the entire performance sailed right over their heads.

Thomas Haden Church: Loved him. But listen, why do you think he was nominated? It was the crying scene in the hotel room. I watched it thinking, "that was sudden." Then I saw Giamatti's eyes, he was thinking the same thing. That's what got me. His mix of confusion and concern was amazing, and he didn't have to say a word.

I need to see this again. and again. and again......

ugh

boring, slow paced, and utterly pointless. C+

Yeah yeah yeah - No i dont need explosions - yes I know a good movie from a bad one - this is a C+ at best. If you disagree - lets go on a wine tasting trip and you can explain it to me over a glass of pinot.

That post was like someone pissing in the Chardonnay.

yikes

I know this guy made election and about schmidt - but please - this movie sucked. - It was practically made for the critics. Try these reviews out for size while you sip your Pinot and sneer.

http://homepage.mac.com/merussell/ib...14/E493566994/


http://www.juicycerebellum.com/200457.htm

I always look to sites with names like "Dickmeister" to inform me on what fine cinema is.

Yeah, I'm going to take a review seriously from a website called dickmeister.

What does that mean? It was made for people who know about cinema?

dickmeister

your right about dickmeister,

and as far as what do i mean by "made for the critics" - Simple middle aged movie snobs.

Yeah, but what does that mean? How is this a movie for "snobs"?

Yeah, because that's always the way to a box office hit.

No, I don't think you do.

I thought the complete melt down at the winery was a pretty standout and explosive moment. A kind of 'peak' in the narrative even. All of Mile's bottled up hurts, frustrations and failures explode in a pathetic display of alcoholism. If that doesn't scream Oscar highlight reel...

The scene that the Oscar voters should've paid attention to was the drink and dial. He may have been drunk but all that subdued rage and frustration and disappointment that bubbles to the surface in that conversation was just great work by Giamatti.

I'm still confused why Thomas Haden Church got a nod. Although, if we stick with Stuber's rationale, that scene with him (finally) breaking down and telling Giamatti he's nothing is probably Exhibit A.

I got to see this today and thought it was great. Both funny and moving. It's a testament to Payne and his co-writer Jim Taylor that they could take these somewhat unlikeable characters, especially in the case of Jack who's essentially an asshole and transform them into characters we can look at and almost empathize with even though their actions are such that we should think otherwise.

Terrific performances from everyone. Paul Giamatti is the absolute standout in this film.

S

P

O

I

L

E

R

Giamatti's reaction to finding out his ex-wife is pregnant is just extremely moving, you can see he's holding back tears at that moment but he's trying to keep a strong face then slowly walks off to his car. That's his oscar moment right there.

S

P

O

I

L

E

R

Miles going back for the wallet is just absolutely fucking hysterical. You can see him thinking it over then he just thinks fuck it, grabs the wallet and runs. I was in tears along with half the audience. I really liked the jazz score to this, laid back like their trip. Some beautiful cinematography. That shot of them having a picnic while the sun goes down was beautiful.

This movie is Payne's best yet. Loved it.

What's so great about it?

I would like someone to explain to me what it is about this movie that I missed. I saw it, wasn't impressed. It was good, but I don't think I'd put it in my top 10. Virginia Madsen deserves everything she gets for this thing, but other than her, it seemed an average, unexceptional film.

It may have been because I'm a 20 year old college guy and I just didn't relate to where these characters are with their lives, I don't know. Anyway, I would just like it if someone gave me some insight that might make me see why this is so great. I want to love it, but I can't, and thought this was the least of Payne's movies (that I've seen, which are "Election" and "About Schmidt". I haven't seen "Citizen Ruth", though I want to).

I saw this last weekend, and I agree that the performances were good. It's a small film about nothing that is important to anyone but the characters in the movie. They all have low-paying jobs, or no job in the case of Jack, and they all struggle, I think, with the feeling that they are completely insignifigant in the world. So, it's not hard to see why some audiences would leave unfulfilled. The end could leave you guessing, but I interpreted it as the beginning of a good future for the two. It's not about important events. It is about friendship, to an extent. Maya is willing to doubt Miles, whom she is falling in love with because he was connected with events that hurt her girlfriend. She and Miles are also friends however, because he is honest in the end, and she forgives him. Miles and Jack...well, you saw the movie.

Each character tries to deal with their malaise in a different way. Maya aspires to a degree in horticulture, and believes she can connect with Miles. Her girlfriend allows herself to get caught up with Jack, though she should know better. Jack tries to get away with as much as he can before getting hitched. Jack never tells us what's going on in his head, but the film lets us guess that he is a washed-up actor whose future depends on the family he is marrying into. At only one point, he cries out that Miles doesn't understand his plight. Actually, no one confesses their true feelings about their plight except Miles. Miles is the only one who blurts out every truth about their depressing situations. That's part of his character's purpose in the movie.

By the way, I'm just thinking, where have I seen that Thomas Hayden Church before? I know I've seen him in other movies, or was it TV?

He was Lowell on the sitcom "Wings", and also Ned on the short-lived Fox sitcom "Ned and Stacey".

Though he truly reached the status of actor with his potrayal of the enigmatic and haunted Roach in Tales From the Crypt Presents : Demon Knight.

He was mostly a TV guy. Most notably, he was Lowell on Wings. He was also Ned on Ned and Stacy.

Thanks, guys, re: the guy with three names. I can't forget that face and voice.

I think Miles really proved his friendship almost beyond reality when he ventured into that house to get his friend's wallet back. And then, it was all penises and flabby bellies flapping in the wind. Lord, how my girlfriend and I laughed.

I also thought Jack's facial expression was incredibly funny when the scene cut to the two still having dinner at Mile's mom's house, and Jack is really pissed but not saying anything. He's not such a bad guy, I guess.

Saw it yesterday, that was the best laugh of the film for me.

Certainly lived upto the hype for me. i'm glad I saw in theatres the day before it hit DVD
Giamatti was certainly the best performance, and I liked the ending. Hopeful but not spelled out.