There is a tape from my list of films about writers, like most others – I collected them a little from every compilation I found on the web. For some reason, these collections of films are limited to 15–20 titles, but my collection already has 300 tapes. So “Sideways” (2004) just got on my list, and just as easily I decided to watch it one January night in 2023 and then to write a movie review.
To my great surprise, it has a 94 Metascore on imdb. This is the highest rating I’ve seen here (so far). Ideal (for me) films did not even score 90, but here it is as many as 94! It is an understatement to say I was impressed and intrigued even before watching. At the same time, this movie has won an Oscar in what category, do you think?
True! – Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay – Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor.
I haven’t watched anything yet, but I already like this movie. Even if it doesn’t appeal to me personally, I’ll at least see what exactly many people (who rate movies on the Oscars and Metascore) consider a great script. It will be a valuable experience for me as a writer, as well as for others who call themselves authors or want to learn how to write powerful scripts.
The main part of film review “Sideways” (2004)
Many ways
The film clings from the very beginning with many development options. They give you two men and say, “well, something will happen to them for the next two hours.” And you sit and wait patiently, you really wonder: “what will happen next with these two?”.
Characters are interesting, alive, close, familiar. The journey takes place in threes, third here is the viewer, who is infinitely grateful for company and opportunity to spy on their every step.
Wine performance
Most likely, script author is a wine connoisseur. Otherwise, why talk so much about it. Alcohol adds to any story an important link of conversation freedom and wide opportunities for the development of dialogues. If you don’t know what to write (say) about now – turn to the wine topic. This is what the script does, this is what the characters do when they are lost or want to change the topic of conversation.
Wine is the ocean, the whole story floats in
It is everywhere here. And towards the end, it seems there is a secret link, a subtext. But no, it’s just one of the topics that fits the plot perfectly.
A lot of different stories would look good in the wine theme. In my opinion, this is a win-win option.
Wine lovers and wine connoisseurs will enjoy the film “Sideways”, because there is a lot of talk about wine here, very intelligently and beautifully.
Music
It acts as wine here. Yes. As wine exactly. It connects all three times in one moment we observe on the screen. Music is witty, sophisticated, as high-quality as the best varieties of wine, which the heroes in the film talk about.
Actors in the movie “Sideways”
I can’t single out anyone, because everyone does their job well and deserves a firm handshake, applause, and warm hugs. My favorites aren’t among them, but that’s even better because that way I’m more objective about this piece in my review.
Idea, theses
“Sideways” (2004) – movie about people life who have crossed the equator (middle age), but continue to search for themselves and enjoy every day. The film attracts with its scale, which the authors found everyday life in and successfully depicted everything. There are many theses that can be cited here, and this is also a big plus. As if nothing is happening, but it is interesting to watch and observe the development of events. Of course, I could expand on this title, but with spoilers.
Relations
Ode to the bachelor life. One is divorced, the other is married in a week. From the beginning of the film, this combination seems like a potentially attractive narrative. Relationships are one of the central themes here, but it’s so exquisitely lit that it feels like you’re being head patted on the whole time instead of being hit with unexpected plot twists.
“Sideways” (2004) – a film about a writer
Yes, this is the case when you should watch this movie if you are a writer and don’t mind finding yourself in the main character. He is intelligent, shy, well-versed in one topic, which he is ready to talk about for hours without a break, he is sincere, he is real.
Someone will definitely see him as a typical writer, someone as a weak man, but he will still be interesting and himself.
Cowards rule the publishing business. Nobody cares about quality anymore. Everyone thinks only about marketing.
Creative searches, publishing one’s book, rejections, constant doubts about one’s abilities, talent, purpose, conversations and explanations about one’s book – this is what many writers face and for many these are painful topics. But like all the others, they are revealed so skillfully that even the worst author will be happy with film, and thank screenwriters for the ingenious plot patterns.
Friendship
I am sure that many will put this topic as the main one. But I believe there is nothing important here, nothing secondary. Here everything is in its place and everything is important.
This is a perfectly crafted cocktail that has the word “Friendship” in its name because it is one of the ingredients. Without spoilers, this topic cannot be revealed here, so I will simply say that the film is very apt and comprehensive in revealing this layer in everyone’s life. Just like relationships, friendships concern almost everyone.
It is interesting to watch, to find yourself or acquaintances in the characters, caring about their actions and future.
At the end, you feel like their friend because you have experienced all these days and adventures with them. You don’t want to say goodbye, something similar to the feeling when you see off the guests after a fun party in honor of some holiday and after the house sinks into complete silence. A pleasant and slightly sad aftertaste, because the interesting journey is over.
Scenario
I guess I’m not enough of a literary connoisseur to understand the full force of the script. Yes, it is wonderful, it is full of life, it breathes. Maybe this is the secret? It is real, it is simple, it is clear and mysterious at the same time.
The esteemed director of this film, Alexander Payne, has two Oscars and both for… script for his films. Here is such an unexpected turn. Another Oscar-winning screenplay, Payne wrote for his second film “The Descendants” in 2011, which I will also watch and review soon.
What I didn’t like about the movie “Sideways” (2004)
Alcohol while driving
In general, I have a neutral attitude towards alcohol, and I can sometimes allow myself to drink something tasty. But drinking while driving is too much. This is a taboo for me. And in general – I would withdraw any driver’s license forever for driving while intoxicated, for violation of rights while intoxicated, I would put in jail for at least 15 years, and in case of committing a crime against a person with injury or death, I would put in prison for life.
Here (in movie), drunkenness is shown so openly. They drive, joke, laugh and drink alcohol. This is a huge downside I cannot ignore.
This is not so much about the film and even the script, it is my personal attitude to the fact of drinking and driving.
Sober wine conversations
The heroes seem to drink glass after glass, but they talk as if it is not wine, but compote. Very sober conversations, too sober looks and movements exactly in those periods when they should be frankly intoxicating, alcoholic.
Conclusions
I can’t call this movie a cinematic masterpiece, but it leaves a pleasant aftertaste (like, for example, a quality coffee skillfully prepared by a barista) and this makes it not just another film, but a really interesting product that deserves respect for its attitude to the viewer.
This movie respects you, it treats your feelings with esteem and talks about painful moments for someone as if it heals.
Everyone will find themselves or their acquaintances here and will recognize more and more until the end.
This is a movie about life, about love, about friendship, about creative people, about America.
It is deservedly included in both my “Best films” and “Films about writers“ lists. Satisfied with watching, I recommend it to everyone.
My rating for “Sideways” (2004) is 10 out of 10
