Thursday, February 9, 2017

SIDEWAYS


Life is like a bottle of wine. The longer it lasts the better it tastes.

Director: Alexandre Payne

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Duration: 126 minutes

Plot: two men reaching middle age with not much to show but dissapointment for their lifes, embark on a week long trip through California's wine country, just as one of them is about to take a trip down the aisle.

Analysis: Sideways is the perfect combination of comedy, romance and drama. Director Alexander Payne manages to create a low badget movie that may seem quite simple and plain (or even boring) at first sight but reveals, after a second view, a plethora of hidden details, feelings and ideas which will keep you sitten in front of the screen. The choices of the starring actors were extremely succesful. Especially those of Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, two friends that even though they with nothing in common they care deeply and sincerely for each other. Apart from the perfomances which are fabulous (Church was nominated for the best supporting actor's oscar while Giamatti landed the best performance of his entire career) the film will captivate your interest with the natural beauty of its scenaries and the unmatched wine references. It is not mere coincidence that the wines sales in California were skyrocketed after the screening of the movie.
     However, the one element which makes this movie trully special is Payne's unparalleled ability to enchant each single moment of the film by adding multiple aspects to every scene. While watching Sideways you will repeatedly find yourself struggling to decide whether you should laugh, cry, be surprised or feel shame about a particular scene. And the harder you fight to decide the faster you will understand that there is no right answer, since Payne succeeds in simultaneously creating many different feelings to his audience, even with the simplest scenes. This is the magic of Sideways. A magic accompanied by the best pinaut in the world!


Things to notice:
  • the explosive chemistry between the staring duet,
  • the picturesque landscapes of California's wine country and
  • the wine. A loooooooot of it.

Oscar awards (2005):

  • one (1) oscar win for: Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay. 

  • four (4) oscar nominations for:

a) Best Motion Picture of the Year,
b) Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role,
c) Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role and
d) Best Achievement in Directing.

Evaluation: 8.6/10

Should be watched tonight if: you adore drinking wine (except fuc...ing merlot).

Trailer

 

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