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Sideways
A film review by Taryn A. Harris
Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church star
in Sideways, directed by Alexander Payne, based on the novel
by Rex Pickett.
Miles (Giamatti) and Jack (Haden Church)
are the modern day odd couple. Miles is a middle school English
teacher and unpublished novelist and Jack is the carefree, handsome,
but washed up television actor who likes a good time.
The two longtime friends embark on a trip
to the California coast a week before Jack's wedding (Miles is
the best man and the trip is his present) to sample some wine,
play some golf and spend some quality time together and from
there the drama ensues.
Miles tries to pass along his passion for
fine wine, but as he finds out, Jack has another mission in mind.
Miles has been divorced for two years and Jack wants him to get
over his gloom and get laid. Jack would also like a last fling
before he gets hitched.
They meet up with Mia (Virginia Madsen),
a waitress/grad student and recent divorcee and her friend Stephanie
(Sandra Oh) a single mom who works at a winery.
There are some wonderful scenes between
Giamatti and Madsen and although Miles feels totally insignificant
and unworthy, "I'm a thumbprint on the window of a skyscraper,"
you can't help but root for him because he's so nice and decent.
Sideways is a film about friendships, wine
and new beginnings and I couldn't think of a better accompaniment
than the score provided by Rolfe Kent.
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