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Sideways

Play trailer 2:24 Poster for Sideways R 2004 2h 6m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 230 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Struggling writer and wine enthusiast Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes his engaged friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church), on a trip to wine country for a last single-guy bonding experience. While Miles wants to relax and enjoy the wine, Jack is in search of a fling before his wedding. Soon Jack is sleeping with Stephanie (Sandra Oh), while her friend Maya (Virginia Madsen) connects with Miles. When Miles lets slip that Jack is getting married, both women are furious, sending the trip into disarray.
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Sideways

Sideways

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Critics Consensus

Charming, thoughtful, and often funny, Sideways is a decidedly mature road trip comedy full of excellent performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Anupama Chopra Film Companion This is a film about human beings who can be flawed and prickly but if you go a little deeper, you will see beauty. This is a wonderfully written script, with a great performance by Paul Giamatti. May 18, 2020 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Payne does know how to capture two kinds of male menopause. But I can't say he ever surprised me. Feb 13, 2012 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Excellent but explicit movie is not for kids. Rated: 4/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Rachel Wagner Hallmarkies Podcast a solid film. Very well acted Apr 7, 2025 Full Review Dan Buffa Ramble On With Buffa (Substack) My favorite scene in the film is an emotionally flattened Miles chowing down on a burger and fries while he pours a vintage bottle of wine into a Styrofoam cup while wearing a tux in a fast food shop. Giamatti made you feel all of it. Dec 29, 2024 Full Review Allison Rose FlickDirect Giamatti, although overlooked by the Academy, serves as the emotional anchor of the film, holding its narrative together with his compelling performance. Rated: 5/5 Oct 22, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brian H Such a great movie with heart and laughs.... everyone in this movie is great. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/07/25 Full Review Matheus F A movie where Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church and Virginia Madsen shine in every scene. The script is gold. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/01/25 Full Review David M It's been a long time - maybe 20 or so years - since I saw this now much-loved comedy-drama about two friends going for a holiday in California's wine country the week before one of them is married. It's rightly celebrated for a brilliant script, and its deft insights into friendship, relationships and the mid-life crisis. Paul Giamatti is, of course, brilliant, and I'd forgotten that the always wonderful Sandra Oh plays such a key role. I was less sure about Thomas Haden Church's performance, which to me just doesn't quite work. But it's hard to take against this endearing, warm-spirited and genuinely funny film. Giamatti makes the material sing, and he's a pleasure to watch in every frame he's in. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/28/25 Full Review michael f Hilarious. Relateable. Can rewatch and enjoy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/18/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 2 hours and 6 minutes!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Nudity, Language and Some Strong Sexual Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/08/25 Full Review jacob c Sideways is at once heartfelt and hilarious, crude and genuinely touching, with help from its great performances and chemistry. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Sideways

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Cast & Crew

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Alexander Payne

Director

Paul Giamatti

Miles Raymond

Thomas Haden Church

Jack Lopate

Virginia Madsen

Maya

Sandra Oh

Stephanie

Marylouise Burke

Miles' Mother

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Sideways

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Sideways

From left: Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church in SIDEWAYS From left: Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church in SIDEWAYS From left: Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church in SIDEWAYS From left: Sandra Oh, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen and Paul Giamatti in SIDEWAYS From left: Thomas Haden Church and Paul Giamatti in SIDEWAYS From left: Paul Giamatti and Virginia Madsen in SIDEWAYS From left: Paul Giamatti, Virginia Madsen, Director Alexander Payne, Thomas Haden Church and Sandra Oh on the set of SIDEWAYS From left: Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church in SIDEWAYS From left: Sandra Oh and Thomas Haden Church in SIDEWAYS From left: Virginia Madsen, Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church and Sandra Oh in SIDEWAYS View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Struggling writer and wine enthusiast Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes his engaged friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church), on a trip to wine country for a last single-guy bonding experience. While Miles wants to relax and enjoy the wine, Jack is in search of a fling before his wedding. Soon Jack is sleeping with Stephanie (Sandra Oh), while her friend Maya (Virginia Madsen) connects with Miles. When Miles lets slip that Jack is getting married, both women are furious, sending the trip into disarray.
Director
Alexander Payne
Producer
Michael London, George Parra
Screenwriter
Rex Pickett, Alexander Payne
Distributor
Fox
Production Co
Fox Searchlight, Michael London Productions
Rating
R (Nudity|Language|Some Strong Sexual Content)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 22, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$71.5M
Runtime
2h 6m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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