Review of Sideways (2009) by Guy G — 09 Jul 2011

[100/A+] This little comedy-drama is so uncommonly authentic in its humor and honesty, and so sincere in its human characterizations and emotions, it is impossible not to like. A bright, winning cast, led by a brilliant Paul Giamatti, weave a wonderful tale of road trips, wine drinking, iffy romancing, and personal discovery in the California wine country, keeping the tone perfectly delightful and engrossing, while maintaining subtle hints of finely wrought emotional peril and sadness, like undertones in a fine wine.

Oenophilia and wine symbolism, with its allusions to aging, maturity, and ripening in good time, are everywhere in Sideways, manifesting not just in the sunny backdrop of the Santa Ynez Valley, but also as an underlying parable to these rich characters, in full form upon the vine, yet on the verge of new transformations and hopes. But nothing is overplayed here or taken for granted, and the mood is consistently charming, light, unassuming, and poignantly funny.

It's all a very fortunate and skillful mixture of dramatic ingredients that will actually touch you. A truly exquisite little masterpiece.