Sideways

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2:24

Sideways

R

2004

2h 6m

Comedy

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

229 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

05/18/2020

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.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

02/13/2012

Payne does know how to capture two kinds of male menopause. But I can't say he ever surprised me.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/28/2010

4/5

Excellent but explicit movie is not for kids.

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

04/07/2025

a solid film. Very well acted

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Dan Buffa

Ramble On With Buffa (Substack)

12/29/2024

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.

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Allison Rose

FlickDirect

10/22/2024

5/5

Giamatti, although overlooked by the Academy, serves as the emotional anchor of the film, holding its narrative together with his compelling performance.

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RichardAB T

@PoorDearRichard Jan 24

Sideways is one of my all-time favorite dramedies. It’s thoughtful, funny, and strangely moving, showing both the best and worst of human nature. The characters are quirky but relatable, from Miles’s awkward charm to his mother’s memorable presence. My favorite moment is when Maya describes wine as a "living substance" — a line that perfectly captures the film’s mix of insight and humor. This is a movie I could watch again and again.

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Richard B

@NYCguy Dec 30

I can watch this film over and over again. It just feels like the characters are real people, but I think that is one of Alexander Payne's trademarks. My favorite part is when Paul G is at home in the beginning and although he has to be somewhere he is just taking his time. After seeing this film, I never, ever, drank Melot again.

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Daniel Y

@JunglistDan Dec 27

Possibly the worst film I've ever seen. Guys just go round tasting wine..

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william s

@SillyBommers Dec 4

I wanted to like it more than I actually did. But it probably has more to do with personal taste than anything. It's generally well written, acted and feels like a decent little story about polar opposite approaches to a midlife crisis. That being said, I didn't find it horribly fun to watch the slow motion train wreck on screen and probably would have rated it lower if the final moments of the film hadn't successfully pulled it back out ever so slightly.

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Brian H

@RT85999140 Oct 7

Such a great movie with heart and laughs.... everyone in this movie is great.

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Matheus F

@matheusf_neto Sep 1

A movie where Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church and Virginia Madsen shine in every scene. The script is gold.

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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, Mystery & Thriller, Romance
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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