Sideways

The year is off to a strong start. It’s a great movie, though I’m sure some will find it boring or think it's overrated...

Two friends head out on a week-long trip through wine country in California. One is getting married, so this is essentially a bachelor party. The plan is to hit as many wineries as possible, drink plenty of wine, and play some golf. His fiancé isn't exactly thrilled about the itinerary. He'd rather be sleeping with someone else. They meet some women and things just unfold from there...

Giamatti is fantastic. My only worry is if he gets stuck playing losers for the rest of his career. Thomas Haden Church is up for an Oscar for this role. Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh are also excellent.

It’s definitely an alright flick. Is it actually *good*? I mean, it’s hit or miss for me. The acting was top-notch, though—seriously impressive stuff. Honestly, I’d say it was one of the better American movies released last year, but let's be real, the competition wasn't exactly fierce.

I actually found the movie quite charming... in terms of its vibe and story, it feels like a mix between "Swingers" and "Ghost World." And man, Giamatti is absolutely brilliant.
I have to say, though, the sheer volume of positive reviews feels a bit bizarre, doesn't it!? I suppose if you just throw anything at the wall, American critics will act completely shocked when they stumble upon a film this unpretentious.
It’s a must-watch!

The film is an absolute powerhouse... though I suppose I might just be under the influence of all that Hollywood garbage, which would explain why I found it so incredible.

Just finished watching, and I’m honestly quite impressed. It’s one of those movies that really gets under your skin, even if I did find myself rolling my eyes at a few of its occasional lapses into pure sentimentality. That said, the screenplay is absolutely top-tier.
And Thomas Haden Church!

Caught a screening yesterday...🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏

quietmason58 said:This movie is an absolute blast. But honestly? Maybe I’ve just been brainwashed by all this Hollywood garbage. Is that it? Am I just a victim of the industry? It felt too good to be true.

Exactly like that, but only the second half. Like someone said—we’re heading back to the era of plain, honest storytelling.

Personally, I would give this film a respectable four out of five stars, though I have noticed that the critics—well, at least the ones here in the States—seem to be absolutely showering it with glowing reviews and endless praise, not to mention those prestigious Oscar nominations...

What are your thoughts on all this?

I am honestly getting everything ready right now; I can hardly wait after reading comments like those 🙂 (I only skimmed through them quickly just to make sure I wasn't ruining anything, but it looks like everything is perfectly fine 😁 ))

Man, this was just perfect. It’s that rare, flawless mix of laugh-out-loud comedy and heavy, serious moments. The script is tight, the acting is spot on, and the whole vibe of the movie is just phenomenal. Plus, we got a few absolute legendary outbursts from Thomas Haden Church 😉

The film deserves an 🙏

I would give it a 3.5 out of 5.
My favorite moment has to be that scene on the terrace involving Pinot... 😍 though I must admit, watching that car plow straight into a tree was quite amusing. The acting was top-tier.

So, would you guys actually sprint after someone just to grab a wallet they dropped? 😁 😁

Personally, I definitely would. 😍

It isn't even just about helping out a buddy. It’s more about the thrill of the chase and having a little bit of excitement break up the day... 😁

The movie is just perfect. It’s got everything—simple, great acting, really funny... just hits all the right notes. I'm pretty much obsessed.

michael_jackass said:Giamati was incredible.

I'm right there with you. 👍
I actually really enjoyed this movie...
Finally, two guys who aren't just acting like they work for Black Stone in every single scene, but instead, you can't even tell which one is more much of a coward.
Honestly, how could you not love them?
😍😁

Jack Harris3 said:Finally, two guys who aren't just sucking up to Black Stone in every single scenario. Honestly, though, I can't tell which one is the bigger wimp.
Who wouldn't root for them? 😍 😁

Damn, after seeing this, I’m hitting the movie theater tomorrow! 😁

Ugh, I just couldn't get into that movie yesterday. I'm sure it’s lovely, beautiful, heartwarming, blah blah blah... but honestly? I just needed something intense. Like, give me some Black Stone to really sink my teeth into!😁 😉 😎

I guess I'll just save it for Sunday afternoon...😉

Solid movie. Watching it, you're just riding this rollercoaster of emotions, swinging from pure joy to total heartbreak. That ending, though... it really hits you where it hurts. It’s a heavy way to wrap things up...
It’s an excellent choice if you're looking to impress someone on a date... or maybe just show off a little to your significant other.

Seriously, you guys have to see this movie. It’s such a vibe—super charming, lighthearted, and funny, but it actually hits you with some deep stuff that sticks with you long after the credits roll. The cast is incredible (especially Giamati, man, he killed it), and the cinematography combined with that smooth jazz soundtrack? Perfection. And that ending... just genius. It’s intentionally weird and totally breaks the mold. My favorite part was how it didn't feel like it was trying too hard to win an Oscar or follow some predictable Hollywood formula. It just felt real. Totally honest.
I’d recommend it to pretty much everyone, but definitely grab your partner or your best friends and go watch it!

The more I dwell on this film, the more convinced I become that, looking at the big picture, the screenplay is actually its strongest suit. It truly excels when it comes to deep characterization and steering clear of tired clichés—with the exception of that pseudo-symbolic wine conversation and the overly sentimental finale. Of course, it’s entirely possible the character work owes much of its depth to the novel it was adapted from.
That said, the movie drags; it’s far too long and struggles to find its rhythm, feeling somewhat lopsided in its execution. There are just too many minor subplots cluttering up the final act.
As for the acting, it’s decent enough, though I personally find Giamatti to be a bit overrated and overhyped by both the critics and the general public. Thomas Haden Church, on the other hand, is absolutely stellar. Yet, despite all these individual merits, the film lacks a cohesive directorial vision and a sense of true connection.
My overall impression is quite similar to my take on About Schmidt. It leaves you wondering: what was the point of it all?