Director: Alexander Payne
Writer: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, and Rex Pickett (novel)
Rated: R (language, some sexuality and nudity)
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, and Sandra Oh

Paul Giamatti plays Miles, a middle aged middle school teacher with a critical appreciation for fine wine. His best friend is Jack (Thomas Haden Church), an actor who’s about to get married. Rather than a bacherlor party, the pals go on a trip through wine country for drink, good and some rounds of golf.

Miles is a lonely, self-deprecating character. But we start to understand why. His mom is more excited to see Jack than her own son, prospective publishers turn down his novel, and he’s divorced. The trip however has the potential to show Miles that life has something worth waiting for.  While on their journey, the pair wind up spending time with two ladies played by Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen (who appears to not have aged since 1992′s The Candyman). Jack and Miles are constantly getting into shaky (and sometimes hilarious) situations which wind up having tremendous effects on their lives and friendship.

The story is one of friendship, love, and self-discovery. While the film has plenty of laugh out loud moments, it’s serious portrait of a man on the verge of giving up makes this far from a typical comedy. With gorgeous shots of some breathtaking scenery paired with heartfelt performances, Sideways will take the viewer on a journey of their own.
IMDb/trailer | Official movie site