RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Sideways
Sideways

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Sideways (2004)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
97 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:207

Fresh:200

Rotten:7

Average Rating:8.6/10

Consensus: An emotional and heartfelt comedy.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language, some strong sexual content and nudity

Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Oct 22, 2004 Limited

Box Office: $71,444,367

Synopsis: A wine tasting road trip to salute Jack’s (Thomas Haden Church) final days as a bachelor careens woefully sideways as he and Miles (Paul Giamatti) hit the gas en route to mid-life crises. The... A wine tasting road trip to salute Jack’s (Thomas Haden Church) final days as a bachelor careens woefully sideways as he and Miles (Paul Giamatti) hit the gas en route to mid-life crises. The comically mismatched pair, who share little more than their history and a heady blend of failed potential and fading youth, soon find themselves drowning in wine and women (Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen). Emerging from a haze of pinot noir, wistful yearnings and trepidation about the future, the two inevitably collide with reality. SIDEWAYS was helmed by the critically acclaimed Alexander Payne, who wrote the screenplay with his longtime screenwriting partner Jim Taylor based on the novel of the same name by Rex Pickett. Payne and Taylor won a Golden Globe in 2003 for the screenplay of ABOUT SCHMIDT and share Academy Award®, Independent Spirit Award and Writers Guild of America Award nominations for the adapted screenplay of ELECTION, for which Payne also won a Best Directing Independent Spirit Award. Payne's directorial and screenwriting debut was the Laura Dern-starrer CITIZEN RUTH, which won the Sundance Jury Prize in 1996. On the road trip of a lifetime are Paul Giamatti, whose leading role in last year’s AMERICAN SPLENDOR earned him the National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance by an Actor, and Thomas Haden Church from television’s "Wings" and "Ned and Stacy" and the feature film 3000 MILES TO GRACELAND. Along the way the men are joined by Virginia Madsen (DUNE, THE RAINMAKER) and Sandra Oh (UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, LAST NIGHT). SIDEWAYS was produced by Michael London (THIRTEEN, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG) with George Parra, a seasoned assistant director on such films as LEGALLY BLONDE 2 and ABOUT SCHMIDT, as co-producer. The director of photography is Phedon Papamichael (MOONLIGHT MILE, IDENTITY). The editor is Kevin Tent and the production designer is Jane Ann Stewart, both of whom worked with Payne on ABOUT SCHMIDT, ELECTION and CITIZEN RUTH. [More]

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh, M.C. Gainey, Marylouise Burke, Jessica Hecht

Director: Alexander Payne

Director: Alexander Payne
Screenwriter: Jim Taylor, Alexander Payne
Producer: Michael London
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Sideways: "Why Are You So Into Pinot?"
    >
    Sideways: "What's Up With You?"
    >
    Sideways: "The Life of Wine"
    >
    Sideways: "I'd Say You're Right on the Money"
    >
  • Behind the Scenes of Sideways
    >
    Interview: Sandra Oh
    >
    Sideways Trailer
    >
1 - 4 of 7

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Apr 21, 2009

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Sideways

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: CHUD | comment Comment
02/27/09
Devin Faraci
Devin Faraci
CHUD
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
11/01/07
David Ansen
David Ansen
Newsweek
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Sideways is the first of Payne's films in which we have the chance to really care for the characters; he reins in his harsh satire better than before.

Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
09/07/07
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

The year's second best movie about broken and lonely people (after Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
10/11/06
Russ Breimeier
Russ Breimeier
Christianity Today

In Payne's overarching triumph, Sideways is a sensitive, to the point of disturbing, expose of love....love that can blossom with that high school hallway sweetness even in the withered garden of midlife.

Full Review Source: Bangitout.com | comment Comment
09/27/06
Jordan Hiller
Jordan Hiller
Bangitout.com

Giamatti handily raises what could've been a pedestrian road trip romance into the stratosphere of a world-class character study

Full Review Source: Perihelion Journal | comment Comment
09/20/06
Jay Antani
Jay Antani
Perihelion Journal

click to read article [Greek]

Full Review Source: Movies for the Masses | comment Comment
09/10/06
Joseph Proimakis
Joseph Proimakis
Movies for the Masses

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
01/17/06
Sydney Morning Herald

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

...a leisurely paced film about introspection, neurosis and finding tranquility.

Full Review Source: www.kcactive.com | comment Comment
07/25/05
Uri Lessing
Uri Lessing
www.kcactive.com

Sideways is non-mainstream pretentiousness done right

Full Review Source: Peterborough This Week | comment Comment
07/06/05
Mike Sage
Mike Sage
Peterborough This Week

A relentless and painfully funny critique of masculine pretense and selfishness, of which wine fetishism is the apotheosis.

Full Review Source: Not Coming to a Theater Near You | comment Comment
06/21/05
Leo Goldsmith
Leo Goldsmith
Not Coming to a Theater Near You

Maintains a deft balance between breezy joviality and understated poignancy.

Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | comment Comment
05/04/05
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness

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 later.

Full Review Source: Broomfield Enterprise | comment Comment
05/02/05
Dan Marcucci and Nancy Serougi
Dan Marcucci and Nancy Serougi
Broomfield Enterprise

The underdevelopment of some characters can be attributed to an overriding decision to caricaturize the subjects of the film.

Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | comment Comment
04/17/05
Wesley Lovell
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
all

Latest News for Sideways

July 15, 2008: An Oral History of RT, Part Three: Ripe Tomatoes
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Rotten Tomatoes, we asked some of the founding members of RT to share their memories. What follows is an oral history of Rotten Tomatoes'... More...

July 26, 2007: Critical Consensus: Woo-Hoo! Simpsons Is Certified Fresh; No Reservations Is Bland; Rescue Dawn Shines
This week at the moves, we've got America's favorite family in their long-awaited big-screen debut (The Simpsons Movie); a tale of two chefs (No Reservations, starring Catherine... More...

September 18, 2006: Box Office Wrapup: Gridiron Gang #1, but Box Office Still Fumbles
Wrestler-turned-actor The Rock suffered the worst opening of his career with the football drama Gridiron Gang, but thanks to weak competition, it was still enough to capture the... More...

September 07, 2006: Box Office Guru Preview: Covenant Brings Evil to Theaters
After welcoming in four new wide releases per week for seven straight weekends, the North American box office slows it down a bit on Friday with only one saturation release and... More...

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
15% 15% The Ugly Truth
98% 98% Up
36% 36% G.I. Joe: The Rise of …
52% 52% The Taking of Pelham 1…
45% 45% Ice Age: Dawn of the D…

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
95% 95% Star Trek
67% 67% Bruno
47% 47% My Sister's Keeper
66% 66% Is Anybody There?
82% 82% Thirst

More New Releases…

See All

RT On Current TV

The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

Learn how you can be part of the show

More...

What’s Hot On RT

Avatar

Avatar

Watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video!

Friday Harvest

Friday Harvest

This week's best pics, posters, and videos!

RT's Gift Guide

RT's Gift Guide

Give the best movies, gear, and more!

What to Watch?

What to Watch?

Read our Holiday Movie Preview!

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
70
  • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
112
  • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
32
  • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
63
  • Forbes Names Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors Source: Forbes
20
  • Chris Weitz Says He's (Almost) Done with Directing Source: Film School Rejects
26
  • Spider-Man 4 Casting Rumors Multiply Like Rabbits Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
51
  • McTeigue Says Superman Is "In a Weird Place" Source: MTV
204
  • Rachel McAdams Debunks Spider-Man 4 Rumor Source: Entertainment Weekly
117
  • Avatar: Gambling on Film's Future Source: Los Angeles Times
128
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
127
  • Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle?
96
  • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
67
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records
52
  • Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog
50
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
35
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Star Trek, Bruno, and Cheaper Sopranos
32
  • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
28
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
8
  • Ho, ho, ho! It's RT's Great Big Gift Guide!
0
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
8
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
19
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
6
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
16
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
  • Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel
28
  • Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute
14
  • Emma Stone talks Zombieland - RT Interview
41
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Sideways at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Sideways at IGN
  • Sideways at AskMen

Fresh Links

Featured
Star Trek DVD Exclusive
Star Trek DVD Exclusive External Link

TECHLAND gives us a first look at the extras, including Leonard Nimoy's last day on set!

The New Cult Canon
The New Cult Canon External Link

AV Club looks at a beloved cult classic, Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness.

New Moon Portraits
New Moon Portraits External Link

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Unsexiest Men Alive
Unsexiest Men Alive External Link

Moviefone lists their choices for the least attractive men in Hollywood.

Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Follow RT on Twitter External Link

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.