'

Sideways

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2:24

Sideways

R

Released Oct 22, 2004

2h 6m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

233 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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Critics Consensus

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

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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

Christy Lemire

Associated Press

Apr 3, 2012

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

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

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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

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Fernando D

Interesting movie with a confuse end. Excellent photography and a fantastic production Paul Giamatti doing and excellent role. Recomended

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

Full Review

Marit Risto F

Why the heck should the wonderful Christine marry such an asshole? The delightful Maya accept an unattractive alcoholic, and the gorgeous Sandra have a fling with Jack as well?!!? Miles' mother fixed a nice meal for them, only to have her savings stolen 😪 Nasty, disgusting, and unacceptable 😵‍💫

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

Full Review

Leprechaun K

Perfect pair up of Payne and Giamatti, dark humor at its finest. Wonderful performance by Giamatti.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

Full Review

Ann W

An all time favorite movie with an excellent screenplay and cast. The direction is well paced and just when the big plot line of the romantic fling between Haden Church and Oh is resolved and you are expecting the pieces will fall where they may as most movies do, Payne delivers an absolutely hilarious scene starting in a restaurant; Haden Church saying he had to run through an ostrich farm and he and Giamatti have to sneak into a house. This movie is a treasure.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

Full Review

Heloise C

Probably my favorite movie ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/25

Full Review

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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

Cousin Bette

41%

45%

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Sideways: Trailer 1

2:24

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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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