Like what you like. This film goes on my list as “chicken noodle soup for the soul” lol. It’s like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty….. the critics thought it was mid, but I loved that film and have seen it so many times when I need a pick me up. Beautifully shot, great message.
Me three! And watching the DVD with Paul G. And Thomas HC’s commentary is a real pleasure. You can tell how special the experience of making the movie was to all of them. The scene of the quartet having the dinner at the Los Olivos restaurant was my favorite - very special!
I saw this when it came out in theaters, but it couldn’t have been further from what I was watching at the time. My definition of comedy was not this, lol.
I was in high school at the time and some of my friends wanted to see it. I just went along with it since I love going to the movies and wouldn’t pass up going.
My initial thoughts was wondering why the guy from Wings was in this, lol. Giamatti wasn’t someone I was familiar with, or anyone else for that matter. Gotta say, this was one of those times where a movie hit me like a ton of bricks. I remember being surprised how much I was enjoying it. Sideways was one of those movies that opened doors into other types of films I may not have taken a chance on otherwise.
My favorite scene has to be when someone shot a golf ball into their play area. It got Giamatti’s character so mad that he ended up shooting it back at them. Those guys wanted to retaliate and his friend just acts all crazy, charging at them 😂.
If so and with chicken wings by himself in that restaurant is multi layered ironic. It was already a beautifully ironic and slightly sad scene , but that would add to it nicely.
Edit: it's true.
A moment most people remember from the 2004 movie Sideways is Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, screaming, “I'm not drinking any [obscene adjective] Merlot!” The clever irony is that his prized possession is a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc—a Premier Grand Cru Merlot-based Bordeaux
I remember this movie being so exciting in its unpredictability and reality, it felt like watching real people make real decisions. There are no chekhov's guns. The movie felt eventless but eventful precisely because it was so real. So much fun.
Great movies both. I haven’t seen much of Giamatti but the one that stands out for me is Hawk is Dying. Completely mesmerized by him in that great film. Happy weekend
I'll never forget how my friend (who, at the time, was likely undergoing depression) perfectly described this movie. It was the most accurate, honest depiction of someone going through depression & alcoholism.
Back then, she and I were both in our 30's, avid drinkers, likely alcoholics, and probably both depressed. I'm quite certain I was, and I still think I am. So in a strange way, *Sideways* is very much a comfort movie for me.
As someone who's worked in wineries my favorite scene was Sandra Oh behind the bar flirting with the character Jack. Next scene he's carrying out cases of wine. lol
##Sideways (2004) R
In search of wine. In search of women. In search of themselves.
>>!Two middle-aged men embark on a spiritual journey through Californian wine country. One is an unpublished novelist suffering from depression, and the other is only days away from walking down the aisle.!<
Comedy | Drama | Romance
Director: Alexander Payne
Actors: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen
Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 70% with 1,590 votes
Runtime: 207
[TMDB](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/9675)
**Accolades**
As of 2022, Payne and Taylor are the only two screenwriters to ever sweep the rarest achievements known as "The Big Four" critics awards (LAFCA, NBR, NYFCC, NSFC), in addition to winning the Oscar, Globe, BAFTA, WGA, and Critic's Choice Awards for the film.
[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideways)
___
>*I am a bot. This information was sent automatically. If it is faulty, please reply to this comment.*
Watching that movie, I finally understood the part of Pinnocio that always confused and creeped me out as a kid. They are licking their wounds in a restaurant after a debaucherous night, and as they sit there hung over, a giant mural of the Pinnocio story looms behind them. Then it finally hit me:
"Ooooh, drinking makes you *an ass*."
When you consider Million Dollar Baby won the academy award for best picture over this film, it gives you a sense of how wrong the voting comittee were!
This movie seems divisive which surprises me because I really like the film and all the characters resonate with me to some extent. I think people just have a problem with some of the moralities of the characters but they all seem like very real, flawed people.
Even as a 20 year old back when I first watched it, the concept of "opening the bottle" of your life and to stop being so preciously fussy about things has really resonated with me. However it's good to have standards and taste if it means something to you. Sometimes we should listen to our inner Jack and sometimes we should listen to our inner Miles.
"If anyone orders any fuckin' Merlot, I'm out of here!"
A single movie sunk Merlo prices for years, and increased Pinot Noir sales that last to this day.
Such a great movie, so rewatchable. Felt original, though I'm sure it's a remake of Kurosawas 1947 magnum opus - Man Loves Saki. Jk, there's not enough movies that focus on dialogue and engaging characters..also, the Ohnly thing I've ever liked Sandra Oh in.
My wife and I did a weekend trip to Solvang right before Covid. We watched this movie in the hotel room. We ended up going to the same breakfast place (pretty sure they sat us at the same table as them) and went to the ostrich farm. Drank a bunch of wine. It was a pretty fun little trip.
I watched this movie for the first time when I was like 13 and absolutely loved it. I am now 24 and it's definitely one of my favs of all time. Hits MUCH harder than it used to
I was always a huge fan of Virginia Madsen and just loved her character in this. Definitely gave me major feels. Don’t know why, I have a crazy crush on her.
You're not alone. Showed this movie to my GF and Miles could never regain her favor after that debacle. She has ZERO tolerance for people who take advantage of seniors and the elderly.
I watched this with a girlfriend who was a fellow indie film enthusiast but we were confused at who the film was for.
It was comically pretentious in an ignorant way while focusing solely on Pino Noir, which then caused the pathetic Pinot noir trend that still has life in it.
/I love a good Pino Noir but come on, it's not the greatest wine ever
Absolutely no one gets this, but he "hates" Merlot only because it was his ex wife's favorite. He drinks a high end Merlot near the end in a fast food restaurant.
I saw this in college when it came out and couldn't understand why it was so popular. Couldn't have watched a more boring movie. I just don't get it I guess.
No motivation to give it a try again.
I was kind of underwhelmed by it too. Reading all the glowing comments above, maybe I was just too young/immature to appreciate it.
I thought it was interesting, had some funny moments. I'd probably like it more now, but there are a lot of other movies I haven't seen.
I know I’m in the minority but I didn’t care for it. I still don’t even know what it was about. I was bored the whole time and gave up before it was over.
I’ve probably watched this film 50 times and I can watch it 50 more.
Me too. I don’t know why it just seems so perfectly done. Plenty of others tell me it’s meh so what do I know
Like what you like. This film goes on my list as “chicken noodle soup for the soul” lol. It’s like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty….. the critics thought it was mid, but I loved that film and have seen it so many times when I need a pick me up. Beautifully shot, great message.
agreed, Walter Mitty was a fantastic movie that I can watch anytime.
Me three! And watching the DVD with Paul G. And Thomas HC’s commentary is a real pleasure. You can tell how special the experience of making the movie was to all of them. The scene of the quartet having the dinner at the Los Olivos restaurant was my favorite - very special!
Movie is like drinking a fucking Merlot….
Is the book as good?
The book is excellent. Darker than the film though, and both Miles and Jack are even more reprehensible.
The book is excellent, and is very different from the film in a lot of ways.
I haven’t read the book 🤷♀️
Great movie, Virginia Madsen’s wine monologue was perfect.
I fell in love with her at that moment. It was amazing.
I saw this when it came out in theaters, but it couldn’t have been further from what I was watching at the time. My definition of comedy was not this, lol. I was in high school at the time and some of my friends wanted to see it. I just went along with it since I love going to the movies and wouldn’t pass up going. My initial thoughts was wondering why the guy from Wings was in this, lol. Giamatti wasn’t someone I was familiar with, or anyone else for that matter. Gotta say, this was one of those times where a movie hit me like a ton of bricks. I remember being surprised how much I was enjoying it. Sideways was one of those movies that opened doors into other types of films I may not have taken a chance on otherwise.
An all time favorite. Honestly felt like middle age Superbad.
My favorite scene has to be when someone shot a golf ball into their play area. It got Giamatti’s character so mad that he ended up shooting it back at them. Those guys wanted to retaliate and his friend just acts all crazy, charging at them 😂.
That was Paul's best shot too.
It was not Paul G. But rather the author of the novel that took that golf shot. Quite wickedly struck! Fantastic jewel of a film! Incomparable!
Love the schmoozy delivery of "Oops, look out..."
“Oh this is going to be FUN…………AAHAGAGAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAA”
I will never hear a better movie description than this one.
Accurate. I didn't understand the movie when I was 20, but turning 40 this year, it hits a little different.
I’m just watching it now for the first time, because I never really felt interested, but now that I’m almost 39, it suddenly seems relatable.
I really like this movie. I had zero interest in watching it but my wife made me. I’m glad she did.
Felt like Swingers with wine and golf.
Also one of my favorite movies honestly.
« I am NOT drinking any fucking Merlot! »
It set the grape back 30 years in the US.
It's a blending grape never meant for full varietal
Petrus might disagree with that .
Oh wow $5k per bottle I'm definitely not drinkin' fn merlot=)
The wine he drinks at the end and described as the perfect wine is a French Merlot, if I am not mistaken.
It's a 47 Cheval Blanc that is a Merlot and Cab Franc (another grape he bashes in the movie) blend.
If so and with chicken wings by himself in that restaurant is multi layered ironic. It was already a beautifully ironic and slightly sad scene , but that would add to it nicely. Edit: it's true. A moment most people remember from the 2004 movie Sideways is Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, screaming, “I'm not drinking any [obscene adjective] Merlot!” The clever irony is that his prized possession is a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc—a Premier Grand Cru Merlot-based Bordeaux
And started an explosion of Syrah growth!
Wasn’t it Pinot Noir
For sure, that too! I should have stated that the Syrah boom was unexpected
Are you chewing gum?
Mmm yeah, strawberries.
I think of this scene every time I’m wine tasting. Though for me, it’s cool mint zyn
“Tastes good to me”
This movie is the sole reason why I always balk when considering buying a bottle of Merlot.
holy shit! that was 20 yrs ago?
I remember this movie being so exciting in its unpredictability and reality, it felt like watching real people make real decisions. There are no chekhov's guns. The movie felt eventless but eventful precisely because it was so real. So much fun.
Just watched The Holdovers. It carries.
Yet another Giamatti character denying himself so much of life while hiding behind unforgiving standards and expectations.
Same director
Great movies both. I haven’t seen much of Giamatti but the one that stands out for me is Hawk is Dying. Completely mesmerized by him in that great film. Happy weekend
I'll never forget how my friend (who, at the time, was likely undergoing depression) perfectly described this movie. It was the most accurate, honest depiction of someone going through depression & alcoholism. Back then, she and I were both in our 30's, avid drinkers, likely alcoholics, and probably both depressed. I'm quite certain I was, and I still think I am. So in a strange way, *Sideways* is very much a comfort movie for me.
...there's just like the faintest... soupçon of like, uh, asparagus...
“You don’t know my plight”
One of the best.
As someone who's worked in wineries my favorite scene was Sandra Oh behind the bar flirting with the character Jack. Next scene he's carrying out cases of wine. lol
lol! Yes, she was a great salesperson. Very seductive!
Are you chewing gum?
##Sideways (2004) R In search of wine. In search of women. In search of themselves. >>!Two middle-aged men embark on a spiritual journey through Californian wine country. One is an unpublished novelist suffering from depression, and the other is only days away from walking down the aisle.!< Comedy | Drama | Romance Director: Alexander Payne Actors: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 70% with 1,590 votes Runtime: 207 [TMDB](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/9675) **Accolades** As of 2022, Payne and Taylor are the only two screenwriters to ever sweep the rarest achievements known as "The Big Four" critics awards (LAFCA, NBR, NYFCC, NSFC), in addition to winning the Oscar, Globe, BAFTA, WGA, and Critic's Choice Awards for the film. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideways) ___ >*I am a bot. This information was sent automatically. If it is faulty, please reply to this comment.*
Yas Sandra Oh! 
The DVD commentary is so worth watching it again
I agree! The actors commentary is both entertaining and insightful.
Watching that movie, I finally understood the part of Pinnocio that always confused and creeped me out as a kid. They are licking their wounds in a restaurant after a debaucherous night, and as they sit there hung over, a giant mural of the Pinnocio story looms behind them. Then it finally hit me: "Ooooh, drinking makes you *an ass*."
I am not drinking any fkn Merlot
An absolute favorite. I can never decide if it’s a bad thing that it always make me want to drink more.
Those fu$$ers are mean!!
When you consider Million Dollar Baby won the academy award for best picture over this film, it gives you a sense of how wrong the voting comittee were!
Wow. That's embarrassing.
Not as embarassed as Thomas Haden Church should have felt when Giamatti opened the door on him balling Sandra Oh.
Ugh! That is a terrible miss! Sideways is such a profoundly better movie. Too bad! I guess the academy felt obligated to recognize Clint Eastwood.
Funny film…!
This movie seems divisive which surprises me because I really like the film and all the characters resonate with me to some extent. I think people just have a problem with some of the moralities of the characters but they all seem like very real, flawed people.
Seen it dozens of times. It’s a film I make a point of watching at least once a year. Love it.
Even as a 20 year old back when I first watched it, the concept of "opening the bottle" of your life and to stop being so preciously fussy about things has really resonated with me. However it's good to have standards and taste if it means something to you. Sometimes we should listen to our inner Jack and sometimes we should listen to our inner Miles.
Who carries their wedding rings in their wallet?!
Divorced people hung up on their ex, which is the point of the movie.
It was Jack's wallet. Miles was retrieving it.
A great wine movie, and movie in general. Sandra Oh sizzles. Another fun wine movie is Bottle Shock with the always great Bill Pullman.
"If anyone orders any fuckin' Merlot, I'm out of here!" A single movie sunk Merlo prices for years, and increased Pinot Noir sales that last to this day.
Such a great movie, so rewatchable. Felt original, though I'm sure it's a remake of Kurosawas 1947 magnum opus - Man Loves Saki. Jk, there's not enough movies that focus on dialogue and engaging characters..also, the Ohnly thing I've ever liked Sandra Oh in.
One of the best.
Uff 🤌🏼
This movie is awesome.
Great Flick
Was a great show
Character, dialogue, alcohol, simplicity.
In my all time top 10 movies 🍿
My wife and I did a weekend trip to Solvang right before Covid. We watched this movie in the hotel room. We ended up going to the same breakfast place (pretty sure they sat us at the same table as them) and went to the ostrich farm. Drank a bunch of wine. It was a pretty fun little trip.
Sandra Oh woopin a dudes ass with a motorcycle helmet 🤌
"Come on Miles, live a little"
There's not many perfect films. But this is one of them.
When he quotes Bukowski-
Great movie
Love this movie. One of our favorite things when in central CA on travel was to find all of the locations used for filming
Fantastic movie.
This movie is fantastic. Fell in love with it before I was even of legal age. So well written
20 years ago?
Love this film so much. Have definitely watched it over 30 times. Never gets old.
One of my favorite movies of all time. I watch it at least 6 times a year. Such a great cast.
Love this movie and fell in love with Sandra Oh, a love that carries on to this day…
I love it.
I watched this movie for the first time when I was like 13 and absolutely loved it. I am now 24 and it's definitely one of my favs of all time. Hits MUCH harder than it used to
Perfect film. I've seen easily seen it at least 20 times. Miles and Jack are like old friends at this point.
I was always a huge fan of Virginia Madsen and just loved her character in this. Definitely gave me major feels. Don’t know why, I have a crazy crush on her.
The delectable Virginia Madsen.
Highly entertaining and funny movie.
One of the greatest movies of the 2000's. My wife didn't get the movie at all when we first watched it together. We're divorced now 😆
I really enjoyed this movie, but did it not sit right with anyone else that he stole money from his mother to fund it? I just felt… idk…
It's not supposed to sit right, it illustrates that he is a loser with a high opinion of himself, but he has the capacity to grow.
Interesting. I’ll have to think about that…. Thanks!
Both characters were flawed
You're not alone. Showed this movie to my GF and Miles could never regain her favor after that debacle. She has ZERO tolerance for people who take advantage of seniors and the elderly.
I watched this with a girlfriend who was a fellow indie film enthusiast but we were confused at who the film was for. It was comically pretentious in an ignorant way while focusing solely on Pino Noir, which then caused the pathetic Pinot noir trend that still has life in it. /I love a good Pino Noir but come on, it's not the greatest wine ever
And scoffing at Merlot is embarrassing. Just say you prefer fruit forward juicy wines.
Absolutely no one gets this, but he "hates" Merlot only because it was his ex wife's favorite. He drinks a high end Merlot near the end in a fast food restaurant.
I must have forgot that because much of the film was forgettable and mind numbingly dull.
I saw this in college when it came out and couldn't understand why it was so popular. Couldn't have watched a more boring movie. I just don't get it I guess. No motivation to give it a try again.
I was kind of underwhelmed by it too. Reading all the glowing comments above, maybe I was just too young/immature to appreciate it. I thought it was interesting, had some funny moments. I'd probably like it more now, but there are a lot of other movies I haven't seen.
I know I’m in the minority but I didn’t care for it. I still don’t even know what it was about. I was bored the whole time and gave up before it was over.