HOME
MOVIES
TV Shows
In Theatres
SEARCH
FRESH
QUEUE
Sideways
2005
MOVIE IS
entertaining
sideways
wonderful
beautiful
Close Video
watch now
Reviews
similar movies
cast & crew
Awards
tags
86 %
96 %
Certified Fresh
$ 1 Million
Award Winner
See Where to Watch
Sideways
Positive Reviews
141
Negative reviews
5
Average Rating
4.1
/5
entertaining
sideways
wonderful
beautiful
All
Positive
Negative
3.0
Its an intoxicating feeling when a movie excites and enlivens us like this and theres a particular giddiness to be had in thinking about what movies c ..
EW
5.0
One of its lovely qualities is that all four characters are necessary.
Rogerebert
4.0
Giamatti and Church are magnificent, fully inhabiting beautifully written roles.
Common Sense Media
1.5
Alfie is, under Laws goldilocked, benign guidance, less tramp and more scamp.
Austin Chronicle
3.1
More than anything, Sideways furthers the impression that Alexander Payne is a great structuralist filmmaker.
3.5
Its a choke on your popcorn moment, and yet it never feels unbelievable.Miles, as played by Paul Giamatti in the wonderfully understated film, is an E ..
4.5
Sideways isnt just a road picture about two hilarious losers, its a great comedy about men and women.
5.0
Jack epitomizes the philanderer afraid of commitment whose desire for sex andvalidation outweighs his better values.
Screen Daily
1.5
If film critics employed a 0 to 100 rating scale such as some wine critics do, then Sideways would rate about a 98.
The Hollywood Reporter
3.5
Its just that, until now, Payne has surprised us every time out of the gate, and in so doing has created three of the best films of their individual r ..
5.0
In this light, the emergence of Mr. Payne into the front ranks of American filmmakers isnt just cause for celebration; its a reason for hope.
The New York Times
5.0
while containing the standard elements of the buddy road trip comedy formula, it adds layers of dramatic complexity to balance out the ongoing shenani ..
E Film Critic
5.0
Sideways is a movie that knows us a little too well, which has always been Paynes specialty.
E Film Critic
5.0
Sideways is one of those rare films where every single element and detail, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, feels absolutely right.
E Film Critic
4.4
Finds the absolute perfect note to end on, stripping away all the double talk and simply finding a way to just open up and enjoy every ounce of flavor ..
E Film Critic
5.0
Maya seems too beautiful for this guy, but age can be a great equalizer.Madsen exudes an air of wisdom, of having lived enough to know a smart man mig ..
San Francisco Chronicle
5.0
Fact: Alexander Payne is one of Americas most exciting filmmakers.
3.5
The clever dialogue supplies most of the humor, but the most laugh out loud moments come in moments of crude vulgarity.
Cinema Blend
4.0
Although Payne has himself a delightfully introspective flick void of the cookie cutter A list actors, Sideways loses itself in its ending and gets a ..
Cinema Blend
3.5
The film is a fun overall watch though, especially if youre someone in the same predicament as the character in the movie, wondering about where your ..
JoBlo
3.8
Although lacking the complexities of Election still Paynes best work the picture does exude an intelligent craftsmanship thats hard to resist.
The Globe And Mail
5.0
Sideways is a delight from start to finish a round trip ticket to the rewards of friendship and the follies and the frustrations of middle age.
Spirituality And Practice
3.0
Easily one of the years best films both funny and sad, charming and poignant...an intoxicating treat.
One Guys Opinion
4.2
Payne to his credit leaves no bitter aftertastes with this delicious offering and has come up with a quality film that deserves Oscar attention.
Sover
4.4
The drama is leavened nicely with humor.There are plenty of so called big laugh moments.
ReelViews
4.0
HBOSGe Miles and Jack take a trip to Californias wine country the week before Jack gets married.
Tv Guide
3.0
I cant go along with my colleagues who regard Alexander Paynes entertaining but familiar comedy as one of 2004s best movies: it lacks the insolence of ..
Chicago Reader
5.0
Its splendidly funny, surprisingly enlightening, and thoroughly insightful in each of its elements.
Mark Reviews Movies
3.0
Its wise and funny and human and a sure bet to age like a classic.
3.0
Its wise and funny and human and a sure bet to age like a classic.
3.8
Its a shame, really; the acting is actually fairly strong, while the films premise certainly isnt terrible.
Reel Film Reviews
3.0
The film is more of a character study than anything else, but with characters as good as these, you really dont need much of a plot.
Lariat
3.0
Now that Alexander Payne has made four films (Citizen Ruth, Election, About Schmidt and the new Sideways) that have all been excellent, we can officia ..
Eric Ds Nider
5.0
One of the pleasures of an Alexander Payne film is seeing how his actors bring out the best in his and Taylors script, and vice versa.Of Giamatti, of ..
News Review
4.5
But Payne keeps a grip on the material, never letting it spiral into a mere midlife crisis movie.
Shadows On The Wall
4.5
Always a resourceful, thoughtful performer, Madsen almost offsets Sideways overriding, occasionally prosaic interest in the boys journey.
Pop Matters
4.0
The View London Review out ofstarsRunning time:mins Sharply written, beautifully acted and frequently hilarious, this is Alexander Paynes best film to ..
View London
5.0
It sets up a situation where the disillusioned title character can discard his self deluded shallowness but chooses not to, finding solace in a sentim ..
Cs Monitor
5.0
Despite its unpromising premise a road movie featuring middle aged slackers Sideways turns out to be refreshing, unpretentious and genuinely affecting ..
Film Journal International ..
4.4
Yet, on whole, the movie is very well written and the characters are well played by a first rate cast.
Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
3.8
Director Payne takes fewer risks than he normally does, coming up with a soft edged but thoroughly satisfying film.
Internet Reviews
5.0
I thus heartily recommend the movie to all men between the ages of 30 and 55 if they can take it. Sideways offers few consolations besides the bitter, ..
Boston
3.8
A study of friendship, disappointment and self deception, Sideways, directed by Alexander Payne, has at its centre the most leisurely of bachelor part ..
Smh
4.0
Its not that I dislike this latest offering from Alexander Payne.
Mountain X
5.0
http://www.startribune.com Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is practicing on a limited basis as camp begins, this time without the brace supporting hi ..
Star Tribune
4.0
You have to keep living your life: Survivors of the Yonge St. van attack send comfort to the Danforth Three months later, the people of Willowdale are ..
Toronto Star
3.0
In Schmidt, Payne never made it clear whether this protagonist is a hollow man or a product of attrition of modern life.
Emanuellevy
4.0
What gives the tale its extra edge is the performance of Paul Giamatti.
Reel Talk Reviews
5.0
a genuinely touching ode to the foibles of masculinity gone middle age crazy
Q Network
3.5
Payne paints the film in the lifeless monotonous tone but instantly gives us more of a bright resonance once the wine enters the story.
Cinema Crazed
3.5
If you have an older Salon account, please enter your username and password below: No problem!
Salon
4.0
Its more even toned and less smug, I think, than Paynes last road movie, AboutSchmidt.Paynes framing is relaxed and spacious: Nothingnot even the scen ..
Slate
4.0
Review by Andrew L. Urban: This wonderfully satisfying study in human nature is funny and sad and profoundly entertaining from start to finish.
4.5
It could turn out to be the best English language picture of the year.
Observer
4.0
Giamatti is a superb actor, but the revelation here is Haden Church, a TV actor giving what may prove the performance of the year.Hes gifted terrific ..
Bbc
5.0
It has two chase scenes and a car crash.But the film, scripted by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor and directed by Payne, is in no way ordinary.
Time
3.8
Sideways is not as funny as Paynes past offerings, and occasional attempts at broad comedy are some of its most obvious, least effective moments.
The Movie Boy
4.0
Just like a glass of wine, it requires fine inspection and admiration, so drink it slowly and enjoy the ride.
Bullz-Eye
4.0
No one understands the plight of the middle aged white guy like Alexander Payne.
Las Vegas Weekly
5.0
The actress has finally been given the chance to shine after a lot bad television (anyone remember Just Ask My Children
Hollywood
3.0
As Miles, Giamatti follows up his American Splendor triumph with another irresistible portrait of a lovable loser.
Seattle Pi
3.5
The first half hour takes patience.But if you can hang in there and dont mind listening to two hours of talk, this is a fairly interesting story about ..
Tony Medley
4.0
Its a delicate balance between sentiment and realism its not a forced happy ending, but it offers hope.
Pajiba
4.5
Its a fairly simple premise with a cast of just four characters, but thats all that is needed for Payne to create a rich story.
5.0
It wouldnt be surprising to see this film nominated for four Oscar in acting categories.
Spliced Wire
4.4
But the movies personal appeal and the pathos of its protagonist give this wine tour buddy comedy a full body and lots of subtle overtones.
Movie Habit
3.8
Look, the real wonder of WW84 is that this maybe isnt the worst thing about it.
Film Freak Central
3.0
Much of Sideways is top notch, with witty banter reminiscent of excellent films like Diner and Wonder Boys.
Boxoffice Magazine
3.0
As in About Schmidt, Payne is alert to both the beauty of the American landscape and the trashiness of American life.
La Weekly
3.0
Frankly, I dont know how director Payne does it, but his formula of bringing out popularly hailed qualities in an apparent loser has worked again.
Varia Gate
3.1
And you know how those beautiful people do fantastic thing in exotic locations
Three Movie Buffs
5.0
An obscure 1851 law could limit the ability of some victims of the Branson duck boat tragedy to be fully compensated for their loss.
Kansas City
3.8
The film employs great acting, great dialogue, good humor and strong pace (despite a road trip opening).But whats even more remarkable is its ability ..
Ross Anthony
5.0
But Miless brutal honesty is its soul.Hes annoyingly, depressingly out there, but never fraudulent unlike Jack, whose foolhardy libido incites comic s ..
The Filmy Ap
5.0
Typically, road movies have to involve wacky mishaps and blunders, but Mr. Paynes movie feels like a real vacation with people youve known all your li ..
Big Picture Big Sound
5.0
A quartet of extraordinary actors, united by an intelligent and funny script, and a director who can highlight the little details of character and per ..
Sltrib
5.0
It is filmmaking at its finest and, while not quite what Id consider a perfect film it is a richly entertaining, thought provoking and moving film tha ..
4.4
Its a slower moving story and character study that demands the audience pay attention to the nuanced performances, the wonderful dialogue and each cha ..
Waffle Movies
3.8
Sideways is a pleasant little adult film for adults to enjoy, and its nice to see one like this come along.
Movie Crypt
4.4
The first hour didnt feel slow this time, Paynes direction seemed more cohesive and the story hit me more intensely emotionally.
Montreal Film Journal
4.0
Alexander Payne has to be the most unassuming great filmmaker in America.
News Week
3.0
A beautifully realized but, nevertheless, all too familiar story about a pained man.
Dennis Schwartz Reviews
5.0
Sideways in particular is an absolute masterclass in classical cinematic storytelling surely one of the finest American films of the millennium so far ..
One Room With A View
4.5
Funny, touching, and features perhaps the best ensemble work of any film in recent memory. And like fine wine, the movie ages well upon reflection.
Bowling Green Daily News
4.0
A beautiful little chamber dramedy about four sharply drawn characters played with a very lovely mixture of nuance and showmanship.
Alternate Ending
3.0
As character study, as exercise in American ambiance or, simply as an entertaining movie, Sideways triumphs.
Guide Live
4.5
It is just so good, a fine, fresh wine that still jumps out of the bottle fully aged and wonderfully complex, as tasty as a rare Bordeaux after a deca ..
Jam! Movies
5.0
Ex Tiger Jack Morris just wants to be loved Ex Tiger Jack Morris just wants to be loved Detroit Tigers Hall of Famer Jack Morris was combative and vul ..
Freep
3.5
The movie has an abundance of high energy and good spirits and seldom takes itself too seriously....
Movie Metropolis
2.0
Scenes Flow Naturally in Sideways, Making it a Real Thriller Sideways is consummately sympathetic to its characters, but it doesnt spare them.
Film Blather
4.5
Directors, take note.It also looks wonderful, and if you like wine, youll be gagging for a glass by the end!
Future Movies
4.0
It feels churlish to complain that Sideways is merely a good film when, in fact, it has little, observant details and big, earned laughs
Filmcritic.com
3.8
This is more fun than most art films and should be a legitimate Oscar contender.
Entertainment Spectrum
5.0
Payne shares with the great Billy Wilder the knack for heightening scene after scene with the addition of a few little details that most directors mig ..
James Sanford on Film
5.0
Every so often, a movie comes along that just about seems perfect. Sideways is one of those movies.
Aisle Seat
3.0
Really just a likable romantic comedy of personality as two buddies learn about each other on a road trip. The film will be of particular interest to ..
Aisle Seat
5.0
Well either fix the issue to your satisfaction or issue you a full, immediate refund.Just let us know we want you to be happy!
Movie Eye
3.5
In spite of the slow beginning, the movie ages into a sweet, lively story with a delicate sense of humor something to savor like a fine wine.
TheMovieChicks.com
5.0
The film can be slightly redundant (three music set montages is at least one too many), but Paynes consistently humorous script maintains a deft balan ..
Nicks Chager
4.5
Payne has an eye for making the mundane remarkable through specificity of details
Vulture
4.5
Like a perfect Pinot Noir, Paynes latest film is an intoxicating mix of adult bitterness, lush Santa Barbara vineyards and the years early standout ma ..
IGN Movies
2.8
Payne abandons his biting eye for satire with this uninspired and mean road picture. Makes one long for a car drive with Mr. McAllister and Warren Sch ..
Films Nobs
3.0
... a comedy of deep yet sparkling complexity. ... Much more than quaffable, Sideways proves downright transcendent.
Review Journal
5.0
This is an intelligent film, a knowing film, a deeply moving and funny film that lingers with you long after the credits have rolled.
The Dispatch (Lexington, N ..
5.0
But most of all, its a showcase for four splendid actors who rarely get this kind of opportunity to shine.
Seattle Times
2.0
Paynes humor is tarnished in spots, but it sometimes manages to shine through the bleary eyed blur that is the rest of the movie.
Juicy Cerebellum
3.0
Thrives on adult conversation so curvy and rich, we swear we can taste it.
Eclipse Magazine
5.0
But even with a great script it takes a great cast to bring the words and characters to life.
Crazed Fan Boy
5.0
A wine country bachelor trip for two lifelong friends goes more than a little sour in one of the best movies of the year.
Net Flix
3.0
It truly is a testament to Paynes skill that Sideways has come out a deeply entertaining and intensely honest motion picture.
Film Jerk
5.0
As refreshing as the best Pinot Grigio and yet as full bodied and rich as a perfectly aged Cabernet, Sideways fully engages your emotional and intelle ..
Metro Weekly
3.5
Its not Paynes best work, but even a lesser piece by Alexander Payne far exceeds just about anything else out there.
Film Force Ign
5.0
The movies characters are likeable enough, but the true star of this film is plot, plot and plot.Despite the letdown of its tightly wrapped happily ev ..
Kc Active
5.0
Every performance here is wonderful, and the movie abounds in moments so true as to be cringe worthy.
Premiere Magazine
3.0
This is a film that offers some quiet insight.But you may find that, despite moments of sweetness and wisdom, the characters misbehavior leaves a bitt ..
Looking Closer
2.0
Payne and Taylor excel at getting underneath these tough exteriors and portray these people for what they are, warts and all.
Reel Times: Reflections on ..
4.4
Dear Amy: My mother is 89 years old.At 85, she declined to renew her drivers license, acknowledging that it was time she stopped driving.
Suburban Chicago News
4.5
Yet though this sequence throws off the movie, it doesnt linger in the mind.
Boston Phoenix
4.0
I really, really liked this movie, but I have to admit that I think it is a tad overrated.
Gost Dog
4.4
The film itself should be approached like a fine wine: Uncork it, give it time to breathe, and then luxuriate in its rich, heady flavor.
4.5
Lipsyncing to Charless vocals, hes so convincing that you forget youre not watching Ray himself.
Maclean's Magazine
5.0
The Miles character is a glorious, multifaceted diamond prism of painful humanity, filled out by Giamattis immersive acting and the unflashy, close cu ..
Arizona Daily Star
4.5
Californians will want to see this for the familiar scenery, but anyone who has ever loved, lost or wished for a better glass of wine would be well ad ..
San Diego Metropolitan
3.5
I was sorry when I learned that Michaels, the well known childrens hair cutting salon at Madison Avenue and 90th Street, went out of business recently ..
Ny Observer
3.5
Although the characters infrequently change and the pacing is frequently slow, there is enough content and comedy to make the film worth watching.
The Reel Deal
4.4
The wine metaphors flow like, er... wine in this bold, boisterous, and eminently quaffable road movie/buddy movie hybrid from director Alexander Payne ..
Imdb
4.5
A relentless and painfully funny critique of masculine pretense and selfishness, of which wine fetishism is the apotheosis.
Not Coming
3.8
The underdevelopment of some characters can be attributed to an overriding decision to caricaturize the subjects of the film.
Cinema Sight
4.5
Miles Raymond is a character so tragic that even the ancient Greeks would be envious. Especially Bacchus.
Rich Mond
5.0
Acting is as much art as it is a talent and classes allow you to hone your technique.
World Film About
4.4
Giamatti and Church gloriously suggest brainier versions of Beavis and Butt Head.
Boston Herald
4.4
Payne shows how uncomfortable the process of self examination can be.
Lawrence
5.0
They do stupid, mean, embarrassing, and/or unintentionally hilarious things, and yet are portrayed so lovingly that we love them in spite of it. Giama ..
Cinerina
4.4
Sideways cements Alexander Paynes status as one of our best directors
Wash Times
5.0
Unfolding at a relaxed tempo, and unobtrusively edited, Sideways is a welcome throwback to 1970s Bob Rafelson and Jerry Schatzberg.
The List
4.4
In Paynes overarching triumph, Sideways is a sensitive, to the point of disturbing, expose of love....love that can blossom with that high school hall ..
Bangit Out
4.5
Hy Vee to debut HealthMarket in West Des Moines Hy Vees new HealthMarket also has an Orangetheory fitness center in a new building across from Jordan ..
Dm Register
5.0
The unforced humor arises from Paynes honest treatment of the characters.
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) ..
4.5
Ive long been a fan of Thomas Haden Church...Its great to see him finally get his due, even as Paul Giamatti sucks up all the attention
LYTRules.com
4.0
As in Paynes other films, when the laughs die down there remains a residue of sadness, desolation and self loathing, leaving the impression of somethi ..
Movie Gazette
3.0
This ones like to appeal greatly to the 30 40 somethings that are getting more and more into bourgeois sports such as yachting, polo or wine tasting.
Film Fest
4.5
This bittersweet yarn about two LA bottom feeders who tackle personal issues, bottle by bottle, through wine country, renders their episodes of anguis ..
Wbai
3.8
Giamatti handily raises what couldve been a pedestrian road trip romance into the stratosphere of a world class character study
4.5
our expectations of climax, resolution, consolation fall away and youre quite simply present in every detail of every moment.
Blogcritics.org
4.5
Comes in an excellent full frame transfer, with an authoritative commentary track by Brian Sibley.
Cinemonkey
4.5
Was Sideways worth the price of admission Yes, but the overt sexual references make it hard for me to recommend it to anyone I might have to face late ..
See Where to Watch
Sideways