*dimsumdolly* - the different morsels of the life of a foodie

Sideways

Wine and women. The stuff that men dream of, isn't it? Which is precisely what awaits Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church), when the two college buddies embark on a road trip to Santa Barbara County the week before Jack's wedding.

In Sideways, Miles is a high school English teacher and aspiring writer. He is also a wine connoisseur who happens to have a soft spot for a waitress called Maya (Virginia Madsen). Balding, plump, depressed and lacking in self-confidence, Miles is the antithesis of his bosom pal. Jack is a has-been actor who has seen better days in his by-now lacklustre career. Yet he's still sauve, full of self-confidence and is a complete ladies man.

Determined to spend quality time together by visiting wineries and playing golf, Miles is nonetheless led on a vastly path from what he had envisaged by Jack. And the latter suffering from last minute wedding jitters, embarks on some fun of his own, paving the way for a comedy of errors.

But don't be mistaken--this is no slapstick comedy. Adapted from Rex Pickett's novel, the winner of the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay written by director Alexander Payne is full of dark humour and it doesn't disappoint. The two aptly cast actors complement each other like wine and cheese. Their friendship is enduring and is the very essence of the film.

Wine idiots can also get a quick lesson in the world of wine with the characters waxing lyrical over Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs etc. It's like some audio-visual guide to "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wine"! Watch for the scene where Maya expounds on her love for wine to Miles. Very sensual.

Be prepared to be intoxicated by this black comedy.