Sideways ****
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Director: Alexander Payne .
Running Length: 2:03
MPAA Classification: R

A week before Jack's (Church) wedding, his best friend Miles (Giamatti) takes him on a road trip to northern California for a week of wine tasting and fun. While Miles is looking forward to teaching Jack the subtleties of wine tasting, Jack is looking for one last chance to sow his wild oats. If he can help Miles find some action as well, more the better. Enter Maya (Madsen) and Stephanie (Oh). Jack quickly hooks up with Stephanie (not telling her he is engaged), and Miles gravitates toward Maya, who he has met before and has a crush on. The ladies share a love for wine tasting too, and as they hit the vineyards, one cannot help but notice that as Miles describes the wine, he is also describing himself.

Both Jack and Miles are going through a mid-life crisis, just in different ways. The movie really is about Miles, who somewhat poorly masks is alcohol problem under the guise of wine tasting. He is a divorced writer who cannot seem to get his large book published, and feels sorry for himself. Maya is the chance for something better, if only he can get the courage to take a chance again.

"Sideways" is an excellent buddy movie. Both Miles and Jack are likeable and unlikeable at the same time, and the whole time feel real. Paul Giamatti is his usual excellent best as sad sack Miles, and Thomas Hayden Church gives a surprisingly good performance as the randy Jack. Alexander Payne has crafted another funny, touching movie, and is easily one of the best directors around today. I highly recommend this movie.