Sideways

R

Now Playing

2h 6m

Comedy

Drama

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List

97%

232 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Julia S

Boring and overatet as hell

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

gsm g

I saw this movie years ago found it can be depressing. I am watching it again and like a fine wine it has aged well with time. I am so impressed with the subtleties this movie is great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/24

Full Review

Mike H

This movie is excellent! If you are looking for a side-splitting comedy this is not the movie for you. Dramedy would be the best genre to place it. It is definitely a drama with some comedic breaks, I thought the writing was excellent and the acting was great as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/24

Full Review

Gareth v

Aside from Giamatti's fine performance, this movie I found to be rather boring and pretentious at times.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/24

Full Review

Nathan G

Sideways really runs on the chemistry between Giamatti and Hayden-Church. It feels like the two have known each other for a long time, and even though their lives are moving in different directions they care deeply for one another. Both are equally flawed in such different ways that it makes for a lot of fun moments along with a lot of pathos. The ending feels very honest and earned.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/24

Full Review

Eddie T

The most boring movie ever! Not funny!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/23

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

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41%

40%

Cousin Bette

6%

49%

Faithful

48%

51%

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86%

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75%

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Sideways: Trailer 1

2:24

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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

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Alexander Payne’s road movie about best friends taking a bachelor party on the road through California vineyard country is a modern buddy film with a seventies sensibility.

Jan 6, 2024

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Payne is a compassionate observer here, letting the dialogue scenes breathe, unafraid to throw in some slapstick.

Rated: B

Sep 19, 2022

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

It is a powerfully written story captured onscreen by Alexander Payne with a wondrous humanity and sensitivity.

Rated: 4.0/4.0

Sep 23, 2020

Full Review

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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
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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