Review of Sideways (2004) by Benjamin H — 23 Jun 2013

FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

"Sideways" follows two best friends, Jack and Miles, who are spending the last week before Jack's wedding in California's wine country.

I always have a tough time reviewing movies like this -- comedy dramas that are fairly grounded in reality -- because there's not really that much to critique. But in short, I really liked "Sideways".

The movie basically invites you to share Jack and Miles' journey and follow their trials and tribulations, and it's definitely a fun and even enlightening journey.

Jack and Miles themselves sort of contrast each other: Jack always believes in living life to its fullest, but often acts on impulse without thinking ahead, while Miles is more cynical and reserved, especially since his divorce. I can't psychoanalyse the characters the way Doug Walker did, but I will say this. I don't know what this'll say about me, but I'd say I'm more like Miles (minus the divorce), so I'd need someone like Jack to encourage me to take some chances.

So much of the movie is very down-to-earth that, whenever there *is* a funny moment, it's all the funnier because it seems genuinely out of the ordinary. For example, I won't dare reveal the pickle that Jack ends up in towards the end! :D.

To sum up, if you're looking for a movie that takes you on an experience that feels very real, with some bumps in the road but is overall a good time, I say give "Sideways" a watch.

My rating: 80%.