(Isn't a wine-tasting road trip just a good way to, like, get a DUI? Just asking...)
CAST: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh, Alysia Reiner.
DIRECTOR: Alexander Payne
WARNING: Some SPOILERS and potential movie-induced wine imbibing - straight ahead...
There's a point in the low-key and ultimately rewarding film SIDEWAYS where everything finally clicks and comes together. Prior to this moment the film has been an okay flick about a depressed English teacher, wine fanatic, and would-be writer named Miles (Paul Giamatti), and his soon-to-be-married cad of a best friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church) - and the fateful road trip they take through California wine country right before Jack's wedding.
The turning point of the film occurs about midway through the film. Up until then, truth be told, both Miles and Jack have been less-than-enthralling tour guides for this story. Miles is so wrapped up in his miseries about his station in life and the fate of his latest novel, that it frankly begins to try your fucking nerves. Jack, while far less morose, isn't any more appealing because: (1) he's about to get married in a few days to (2) a nice and beautiful girl, but yet (3) he is still planning to cheat on her during the road trip - which kind of puts a damper on the fun.
Fortunately, they (and we) meet two women who are more enjoyable company: (1) Maya (Virginia Madsen), a sweet and level-headed waitress who is also a wine connoisseur herself; and (2) Stephanie (Sandra Oh), a spunky biker chick who also works at a wine-tasting bar. Maya and Stephanie provide our two heroes with the necessary distraction to keep them from getting on our nerves even further.
The turning point that I spoke of earlier is the moment where Miles and Maya open up to each other in Stephanie's living room (while Jack is fucking the shit out of Steph upstairs, natch). Miles opines eloquently about the wonders of Pinot Noir, which clearly ignites Maya's interest in him even more. Maya then responds in kind, and waxes poetically about how wine is a "living thing that is always gaining complexity."
This scene is so well-played and well-written that it more than makes up for all of Miles' self-pitying moroseness and Jack's sleazy shenanigans. At this moment, the film starts to come together and frankly becomes a better film, gaining momentum as it goes. Had it continued on the path that it was on - before Maya and Stephanie came on board - I doubt it would've rated higher than **1/2 (average).
Will Maya and Miles cement their connection? Will Stephanie discover that Jack is basically a schmuck who's about to be married? Will Miles finally stop feeling sorry for himself and accept that being a middle-school teacher is a pretty darn good thing? Will he realize there are people worse off than him in this world? Or will he continue to mope around like a little bitch who wants more? Will Maya stick around with Miles? Or will she decide to run off with a guy for whom self-respect is more important than chasing success and wealth?
Put it this way, if I were Maya I know who I'd choose. I'd rather go out with a waiter as long as he's happy with what he's doing. Besides, in Europe being a professional waiter is an art form. But try telling that to Miles. Good luck with him, Maya. You’ll need it.
BUT, SERIOUSLY: I know all the critics rave about SIDEWAYS like it's the best movie ever. While it is indeed good, I feel it is also just a tad overrated. However, setting aside the accolades and evaluated on its own, it is still a solid and well-written film that ultimately wins you in the end. And the main reason for this is the romantic sub-plot between Paul Giamatti and Virgina Madsen's characters.
You have to give kudos to Alexander Payne and the producers for casting Paul Giamatti and not, say, Brad Pitt or Aaron Eckhart. Giamatti is attractive in a rumpled, pleasant manner - and he brings all of Miles' foibles to the fore in a brave way. A more seductive actor might have perked up Miles too much and betrayed the character. Still, I think Giamatti could have eased up on the moroseness just a little, because there comes a point where you start to wonder what Maya sees in him.
Then that scene where Miles and Maya talk shop about wine occurs - and it's practically smooth sailing from then on until the satisfying ending. This scene is so sublime and touching that it basically saves SIDEWAYS and sends it up to a new level. The final frames of SIDEWAYS, where Miles listens to Maya's voicemail - then heads back up north to.... well, I won't say anymore - except that these final scenes end the film on just the right note.
As for the rest of the cast, Thomas Haden Church is appropriately exasperating as the unreliable Jack. I suppose its a testament to Haden Church's performance that I disliked his character so much. Here's another casting choice that was brave on Payne's part: casting someone who is not seductive enough to make us be irresistibly drawn to the bad boy. While Haden Church is a reasonably handsome man, he doesn't have the "X factor" that would instantly make us side with Jack - despite his shortcomings. He's attractive enough to catch Stephanie's eye, but not enough to make us forget he's a two-timing jerk. Perhaps this was Payne's intention - to cast actors who wouldn't distract the audiences with their charisma. If so, it works.
Finally, its the women of SIDEWAYS that make it work. Sandra Oh is likable and sexy as Stephanie. She doesn't get much to do - but when she does, she does it well. Especially in the scene where she discovers Jack's secret. Let's just say that he will never look at a motorcycle helmet the same way ever again. But it is Virginia Madsen who steals the show. Her take on Maya is warm, endearing, and irresistible. She’s the kind of woman that Miles needs to change his life outlook to a more positive one.
All in all, SIDEWAY is reasonably good road trip movie that gains some good mileage the closer it gets to its destination. While I don't think it's anywhere as great as some critics have made it out to be, it's still a very decent ride. With some gorgeous shots of wine...
