ALLAN HUNTER at the movies.

ALEXANDER PAYNE has established himself as one of the most beguiling directors in contemporary American cinema. Films like ‘Election’ and ‘About Schmidt’ have been marked by a wry humour and an acute understanding of human nature.
  
Those qualities are once again evident in the sublime ‘Sideways’, a plaintive salute to friendship, painful home truths and the possibility of change. Like a latter-day odd couple, middle-aged teacher Miles ( Paul Giamatti) and former television actor Jack (Thomas Haden Church) are chalk and cheese best friends.
  
Miles is a depressed divorcee whilst the boorish Jack is a blithe spirit who breezes through life. Deciding to celebrate Jack’s forthcoming wedding, they have arranged a trip through the California wine country. Wine snob Miles is intent on enjoying some fine vintages and a few rounds of golf whilst Jack is merely hoping for a little female company before he finally settles down.
  
When they meet wine waitress Maya (Virginia Madsen) and wine pourer Stephanie (Sandra Oh), Jack is determined they will make the perfect double date regardless of Miles’s feelings on the subject.
  
Charting what happens next becomes the basis of a wonderfully laidback, deadpan comedy that eschews cheap laughs to really get under the skin of the central quartet and their emotional problems. The result is hilarious but also moving because you grow to care about the characters.
  
The film also boasts four impeccable performances, led by Giamatti’s wounded, vulnerable Miles who only needs a nudge in the right direction to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
  
General release, selected cinemas

Director: Alexander Payne
Writers: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor based on the book by Rex Pickett
Stars: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh.
Certificate: 15
Running time: 126 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2004
 

© Allan Hunter, 2005