Sideways

Saturday night, Sharon and I watched Sideways. Like last year's The Holdovers, the movie was directed by Alexander Payne and stars Paul Giamatti. Payne also directed The Descendants and Nebraska.

Sideways is a 2004 film directed by Payne and written by Jim Taylor and Payne. It is a a film adaptation of Rex Pickett's 2004 novel of the same name.

The movie follows two men in their forties, Miles Raymond (Giamatti), a depressed teacher and unsuccessful writer, and Jack Cole (Thomas Haden Church), a past-his-prime actor. They take a week-long road trip to Santa Barbara County wine country to celebrate Jack's upcoming wedding. Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen also star as women they encounter during their trip.

Sideways was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Haden Church), Best Supporting Actress (Madsen) and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 77th Academy Awards. It won Best Adapted Screenplay.

Big parts of the movie were filmed along Foxen Canyon Road. Sharon and I wine tasted in this area in October of 2011 and earlier this year in February. While Sharon liked the movie more than I did, my fondest for the movie has increased since we watched it. I am surprised that it was nominated for a best picture Oscar.