prior to sideways, the one film that i associated with paul giamatti was his supporting role in martin lawrence's big momma’s house. while that movie was a gross-out comedy, sideways is an exquisite story of resentment and anguish of its lead character. trapped in a dead-end job of a high school teacher, miles (giamatti), is both a writer and an oenophile by inclination. still agonizing from a painful divorce, he ventured off with his long time friend jack (thomas haden-church) to the central california coast for a week of wine, women and song or just purely for camaraderie before jack take the plunge.for jack, a fading television star, the week would be a retreat from his impending future. for miles, who’s awaiting the verdict of his latest manuscript, it’s a much-needed respite from the beaten track. settled in their hotel in solvang, the lads hooked up with maya (virginia madsen), a part time waitress studying for her masters with whom miles shares a mild acquaintance and stephanie (sandra oh), a seductive bartender jack picked up along with his drinks. drawn together with their passion for wine particularly pinot noir, miles and maya began their tentative steps towards delicate affection and romance.
crafted by the deft strokes of director alexander payne (election), sideways has always been a personal favorite from the get-go. unlike the ken cut-outs of the hollywood studio mill, giamatti is a skilled thespian who injected miles with the breadth and depth of nuance and restraint. the authenticity of the characters' apparent imperfections reverberated with great resonance. the dynamics of the film delved further into the palette of mesmerizing discontent in a quiet but splendid fashion.
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