Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance WriterSIDEWAYS IS a wonderful comedy about, friendship, the human condition and generally getting up off ones derriere and starting to live. It is smart and hilarious. Though it features a middle-aged cast the story, based on Rex Pickett's novel is certainly a coming of age and easily a coming to life.
The film stars an amazingly talented cast in the form of Paul Giamatti (Miles), Thomas Haden Church (Jack), Sandra Oh (Stephanie) and Virginia Madsen (Mia). Madsen and Church have both copped 'Best Supporting' nods for the 2004 Oscars.
About two seconds into the film, it is clear that Sideways is the kind of movie that could easily have been lost in the stampede for box office gross and if it had opened last year under the glare of The Lord of the Rings (and the other bloody movies) it would certainly have been lost.
THE OSCAR BUZZ
The film has definitely benefited from the Oscar buzz, which is possibly how it ended up on our warm shores. As such, one definitely feels grateful to the Academy (despite their not nominating Regina King for her amazing performance in Ray) for giving this movie a boost with that wonderful phrase "and the nominees are?".
Miles and Jack are long-time friends for whom life has had many letdowns. Jack is an actor who has known better days, while Miles is a thwarted writer who is very short on hope and barely recovering from emotional turmoil. As Jack is getting married the two head off on a road trip, their last chance at freedom.
Road trip shows often feature young men engaged in bouts of senseless behaviour as they drive from one place to the next. It is expected to involve much drinking, screaming, speeding and crashed vehicles (preferably when they all happen at once and repeatedly).
GROWN-UP APPROACH
Sideways takes the more grown-up approach to this genre. It is not so much the road less travelled as it is the well travelled road leading to life's departure lounge. Nonetheless, it essentially works along the same principles, as Jack and Miles are certainly spinning out of control as Jack tries to recapture his youth and Miles descends into darkness. There is lots of drinking (but it's wine rather than beer) and some screaming and violence. However, it does not depend on body function humour, hijinx, and slapstick. Instead, it presents a smartly written, emotionally involving, hilarious film.
The film examines the ease with which people can spend so much of life moving sideways instead of forward and the movement in and of itself can cloud the fact that one is not moving forward, because at least you are still moving.
Directed and acted with great heart and imagination, Sideways is a great film for those who like to laugh and yet have substance.
