Sideways --- a tasty wine and a main entrée

© Fox Searchlight Pictures
Title:
Sideways (A)
PH Release Date:
Not available
Actors:
Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Director:
Alexander Payne
Based on the Novel by:
Rex Pickett
Screenplay:
Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
Editor / Music:
Kevin Tent / Rolfe Kent
Design / Photography:
Jane Anne Stewart / Phedon Papmichael
Producer:
Michael London
Studio:
Fox Searchlight


© Fox Searchlight Pictures

“She kisses different, she tastes different and she fucks different….”

A seemingly interesting buddy movie made by an incredibly talented director needs no thinking twice if you consider seeing it. I have been waiting for this movie to come out since the buzz is so great for such a little film. However, due to the unwavering fact that generally, Filipinos don’t appreciate artsy partsy type of movies. Desperate times call for desperate measure, that’s why I ended up roaming the streets of Quiapo to find that green cover with two men inside a wine bottle. And thank god I found one….

Miles (Giamatti) is a junior high teacher and an unsuccessful novelist who finds his two years of divorce recent. Jack (Church)vis a flopping actor who’s getting married in a week but plans to shag away his single hood. Together they travel the grapevines of California, looking for that special wine which eventually became a hunt for women. Miles needs to find someone new but failing to grasp that idea while Jack fucks around when he needs to prepare for his wedding. Will these two realize how much they’re getting them all wrong, doing what the other one’s suppose to do, before they screw everything up?


© Fox Searchlight Pictures

Knowing that it’s American culture at its fullest, I prepared myself to be disappointed cuz as far as I know; I’m not as equipped with all the things that surround them as a nation. I’m a Filipino and relating to the things they say may be quite difficult. I sure am glad that this one tasted just right….

Don’t remember seeing any of Alexander Payne’s movies… (I’m going to see About Schmidt this week) but based on how they describe his style, I believe I will truly like them all. This movie, contrary to my initial judgment, don’t just dwell on American culture… it tackles life in general, for everyone, of any race or culture. I don’t think the characters are in any way unique, cuz for me, they’re embodiment of any adult struggling through life. It showed how most of the time we are more stupid than wise and more amusing than boring. And that’s the strength of the movie it’s exceptional realness.


© Fox Searchlight Pictures

Thanks to the director’s ability not to overdo any scene of the movie. There was no effort at all to be anything, to be smart or witty, nothing. He presented the movie just as it was supposed to be. He allowed the audience to just simply peek at these characters existence, sometimes leading you to judge them but most of the time leads you to associate yourselves with them. Then you’ll get the chance to fully examine even your own existence. How generous you are to yourself and what your true priorities are and whether you’re doing anything to achieve them.

I see nothing wrong with the script. I thought it was outstanding. However, it will be impossible for me to compare it to the novel cause just like any other time, I haven’t read it. The characterization was great. Nothing more nothing less. Gave the audience exactly what they needed. Everything went smooth, except in the middle part, when the characters took a melodramatic turn, which somehow manage its way out of the screen into the audience, making the movie a little boring. Other than that, I saw nothing else worth ranting about except maybe the already brilliant ending. It was totally great, totally remarkable but I thought Payne could have added something more, a little click from the doorknob would do it for me, not leaving too much doubt in mind (really trying not to spoil it for you).


© Fox Searchlight Pictures

Despite the fact that the film is low budget, I have no grumble against any technical aspect of the movie. The cinematography and art direction, though very simple, captured the right mood of the movie. It needed to appear real and clear and it did just that. The sound adds the cool factor to it. The editing ain’t bad at all either.

Paul Giamatti was awesome. He so knows the character oh so well. I couldn’t believe he didn’t get nominated for an Oscar. Damn old Clint! Man, it must have been so frustrating for him especially since he’s not exactly the matinee idol type, and roles like such come oh so rarely. I do hope his work in Cinderella man (Crowe-Zellwegger-Howard-Grazer team-up) will be just as friggin’ brilliant and he won’t get snubbed again. Thomas Hayden, well, during the beginning I was kinda irritated by him, but as the film went along he started to grow on me… however, compared to Giamatti, he’s far less…. Virginia Madsen did very well in this movie. Very subtle performance but effective. Sandra Oh was good, I just really find her face weird that’s why even in some of her serious scenes I kinda ended up chuckling… but she did quite well, not Oscar worthy but good enough.


© Fox Searchlight Pictures

A well written, directed and acted movie. Smooth in approach but punches heavy duty. Certainly a must-see for everyone, especially for those whose in that moment in their life when it feels like it ain’t getting any better, that everyday seems to follow a boring pattern that will probably last until your demise. Because at the end of the movie, it does give you hope: that life, just like any bottle of wine, given the time to flourish… will taste good.