The characters were both stereotypes, which is ok for a comedy, less so for a serious movie. The former soap opera star was more over the top, and I have to say that I liked his character better than the writer's, whose story was far too formulaic. Still, a solid comedy.

This movie is not piercing, it does not explroe the dark side of life, it is not touching or moving or startlingly honest. It is not, in short, anything all the reviewers are saying it is. Do these people have their heads up their bums? Honestly now, do they? It's not funny. It's not sad. It's annoyingly melodramatic and touched up with goofy slapstick that totally undermine any attmept at reality. Ack. Tphoo! Don't watch this movie. I saw it in a screening a few weeks ago and am very happy I did not spend money on it.… Expand

A little better than average, but it can be slow at times. I don't understand why the critics loved it so much.

Great movie! I did not know what to expect, so the entire movie was a surprise. Very funny, I laughed out so many times. Story is orignal, not your typical movie. I think this is the movie of the year.

Brilliant script. Excellent acting. Simply stated, the best movie I have seen in several years. Don't miss it!

Brilliant.

I want more from a movie than a glossy travel brochure. What an example of drink driving! and was the director taking the mickey on the wine stuff - talk about over the top! I certainly would not recommend it.

Brilliant, and the best film I have seen all year. Excellent characters, beautiful visuals, and in the screening I saw I have never heard a theater erupt in laughter so loudly and sit in sadness so quietly before.

A perfect 10--a great movie.

With the exception of Giamatti's performance, I was disappointed. I felt no empathy towards any of the characters and definitely no sympathy.

A simple, moderate, beautiful movie. Paul Giamatti is wonderful, because he succeeds in being always natural and authentic.

Not to say that this is a bad movie by any means, but it's basically a middle-aged, more down n out version of "Swingers". The plot is very formulaic. There were some good moments but all and all it's definitely over-hyped. Maybe all the critcs are divorced 40-somethings who can relate.

Fresh, honest. An inspired and funny look at men's searches for sex and love.

Wow, were those outstanding reviews all written by family members or what? Not a bad film, but not a great one, or an "instant classic" either. Just an ordinary slice-of-life pic with a few scenes that raise a smile, but no great laughs, and some obvious insights into middle-aged men. Overlong, under-written, too little drama and amazingly over-rated. The emotion also veers all over the place, from maudlin pathos, to pornographic, to sappy sentiment. Along with The Station Agent, one of the most over-rated films for years - perhaps they are only suited to an American audience and American "humour"?… Expand

Unevenly spiteful then compassionate, which often makes a moving film. However, the 3 of the 4 main characters are unredeemable which, for me, made the movie the same.

A slightly amusing movie at the time that has grown less substantial each time I think of it. I just love the breathless accusations here and elsewhere that if you don't think this was a brilliant movie, you must be a phillistine. "Look, it's about wine--it must be the antidote to Shark Tale!" Fact is, there aren't enough bad "wine is like life" cliches in the world to keep this movie afloat. And how about the "unpublished yet brilliant first novel" cliche? Anyway, if you're in the "NPR wine tasting benefit for the homeless" set, or aspire to it, this is the movie for you!… Expand

Those disliking the film have perfect lives or perceive themselves as flawless. The movie is about screwing up. You either relate, because you're human, or you don't because you're George Bush.

I'm surprised that the critics rated it so highly. I did enjoy the movie but it's certainly not worth the ratings it has been given.

Shane got it dead right; it's particularly depressing that so many others seem to think it's good.

It is the wrst movie ever. How can u have such bad taste.

A very realistic movie. In a time of Hollywood acting and Hollywood endings, this movie is a breath of fresh air. It is not a feel good movie, but at times extremely funny and entertaining. Too many people see this movie expecting a laugh riot...It's not!!! What it is is a look at real people doing real things and it is very fun to watch. At times it is very depressing, but that';s real life. I feel sorry for everybody who doesn't like this movie...I say watch it again, now that you know what to expect, and maybe you'll see how truely great it is.… Expand

Incredibly slow...nice acting - but the hype and reviews have been unbelievable! first film i have ever walked out on halfway through...a couple of mildly, and only mildly, amusing moments. 96%???!!!

Skllful acting, clever script, polished direction, yet for some reason it remains flat and uninvolving;- to me, at least. It's Holywood, all the way.

I truley didnt see what all the hype was about. I was a kind of dull storyline.

This movie was a total... well, wank. I can clearly see why it appealed to critics, but they've got to realise they're not always the desired audience! The movie was dull, un-ending, and romanticised the character's flaws, without any justification.

Not bad, but largely overrated.

While this pleasant, sometimes sweet movie is well engineered, it stretches a thin story. Only after 45min does Miles add substance. It goes by like novels written by the new wave of French authors: you can find magic and tragedy in every day, but looking back, there really isn't much material to the plot.

Ok, the movie is highly enjoyable and entertaining but it ain't as great as all the critics picture it!. Of course you enjoy the plot and all, but there aren't many hilarious movies and the humor is not even ironic or such to laugh out loud of the circumstances.
It's just an over-the-average dromedy, which you could watch just to watch when you're bored.

Great if you enjoy the common antics of self-absorbed adults; a waste of time, otherwise.

What a let down. The characters were so totally lacking in appeal I didn't care what happened to them. The "wine as metephor for life" was laid on so thick that not a single laugh escaped.

Outstanding film, an instant classic. How you could give this movie a negative review is beyond me. The acting is superb. This is an honest film and real as a movie can be-- it wasn't made just to make you laugh. If you missed the point, I guess that's your loss. Go watch American Pie or something.

This would have to be the WORST movie I have ever seen in my life. I would only recommend it to those who have trouble sleeping at night, beacuse this is a drug-free sleep enhancer! What a waste of time. I think the credits were the best part. What a boring ass movie! I kept waiting for it to spark up into something funny... and I'm still waiting for that!

I found both leading male characters to be sleezy and more over, not funny. Maybe it's the fact that I would never associate with anyone with the slightest similarities in character, EVER. It was a waste and a bore.

I'm not too retarded that I didn't get the humor. It just wasn't a great movie. It was okay but not one to own. I'm sure people who are uptight and think they are upper class citizens found this movie delightful. Good for you.

Honestly one of the worst movies i have ever seen, a complete sham that it has the same rating as pulp fiction, and is actually ahead of Schindler's List.....it is a movie that tries to come off as deep but its really about two losers whose lives are terrible and they have no one to blame but themselves. I would like the two hours of my life back that i sat watching this slow, boring, unfunny, atroscity of a movie....do not even waste your time.… Expand

Such a disappointment! I was so looking forward to this after having worked in the wine business! & liking comedy. Found the charactors so hard to identify with and deserving of so little compassion & I the wine tasting elements handled with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, awkward and cliche'd.

The worst part is that merlot sales dropped because of this movie. way to go america!

Rated above "Apocalypse Now"? Come on!

Don't critics give points for movies being enjoyable to watch? This one is not particularly funny or interesting. Seems like a real bandwagon movie.

This movie is the kind of sophmoric humor found in harold and kumar go to white castle, except substitue wine and drunkeness instead of weed and burgers. the only saving grace is that we are spared the happily ever after moment, leaving at least one thing to the imagination.

A true case of the Emporer's clothes--I really don't know where to start. He is an example of a big laugh: Paul Giamatti has just received some bad news as his friend stands by to console him. In a fit of passion Giamatti grabs a bottle of wine and runs down a hill drinking it as his friend pursues trying to get him to stop. Har-dee-har-har

This movie was moving and beautiful, but I actually preferred the book, where Miles's character is just as real but a little bit less of a downer.

So far, this is the best film of 2004. It's just simply one perfect film. Sad, wise and VERY funny. Very highly recommended.

The smartest funny movie I have seen in years.

Sideways deserves all of the positive reviews it is receiving. It is such a breath of fresh air in a movie world where beautiful, perfect looking actors with no talent take in $20 million a movie. I loved Sideways for its brutally honest depiction of how life really is if you make bad decisions in life, but I also admire the writer

Pure cinematic magic!

I usually enjoy the art house flicks and agree with most critics, but this film was absolutely terrible. Here is why: 1- Most scenes were predictable and redundant. 2-The interpretation of every metaphor was painfully obvious and shoved down my throat until I wanted to vomit. 3- A more interesting dialogue could have been found in an assisted living center for geriatric mutes. If this film were a wine, it would have been a 1961 box of welche's grape juice with a dog turd floating in it. I am still trying to figure out how it got such high reviews. My only suggestion is that alot of critics were able to readily identify with a neurotic, self-consumed, socially deranged drunk.… Expand

A refreshingly good film!

Fantastic film. Paul Giamatti is amazing and so is everything from story to soundtrack.

The rating is virtually purely for the acting, particularly by Paul Giamatti, who can basically do no wrong. Aside from that, I have absolutely no idea what all the fuss is about. This is a very "little" movie about fairly unpleasant people making the unsurprising -- and pat -- midlife discovery that they are the authors of their own misery. Gee! Gosh!

There is no likeable characters in this movie, I don't understand why professional reviewers like it so much.

Crirics overrate this movie. 2 main characters are louts. Story line didn't engage me.

Maybe the screenings of this film that critics attended were accompanied by heavy-duty wine-tasting. That is to say, I think the folks who gave this film such high praise MUST have been drunk or perhaps they have a special part of their brains that responds really well to mediocrity. There's a reason audiences aren't embracing this film as well as critics... because viewers know what they like and critics seem to hate them for it. Low-budget, trivial films with a small scope and mostly unknown actors are to critics what drugs are to addicts. Audiences should JUST SAY NO to this film.… Expand

The user comments on this website match the sentiments I get from friends and family. Sideways is hit or miss - you love it or hate it. Simply put, the script and the acting are excellent (seriously... top notch), but the movie is never exciting or wildly dramatic. If you're the kind of person who gets excited about convincing characters and plots then you shouldn't pass this one up. Otherwise, you've been warned.… Expand

The beginning dragged on for me (i'm 16 by the way), the middle was freaking hiliarious, adn the ending depressed me a little bit, but i have to say i enjoyed it... let male nudity would have been better, but at least it was funny when they showed it.

If you're a filmaker who insists on portraying unlikeable characters as your protagonists, then you're going to alienate a lot of your audience. Why, then, this movie has attracted so much praise is really worthy of a serious sociological study of what is going on in our world these days. So many flaws, so little time... I didn't believe for a moment that Giamatti and Church were ever friends, let alone such intimate buddies as to support the premise of this entire film. Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh deserved such a better film - this one was really undeserving of their charm, warmth and humanity. This film lost me for good when Giamatti robs his mom. Yes, it is okay to have a low-life as the lead, even two of them (maybe) but my take on the human condition is apparently not sufficiently nuanced to allow for the utter dislikability of these guys. And no one can convince me that the whole thing wasn't underwritten by the Santa Barbara County Travel Bureau and Winemakers Consortium. This film was a sham about friendship and mid-life struggles. How ludicruous to accept the farce of the wallet-retrieval from the naked tow-truck driver in the same film that would elevate wine slurping to the equivalent of the rapture!… Expand

Loved Paul Giamatti. The rest of it is terrible and the guy who played Jack was awful.

I agree with Jonathan F. The beggining was Slow thie middle was slower, the end showed some promise and then stopped completely. My wife could not stay awake, and I almost left halfway through. Why these two losers are recieven such universal praise. The one has no respect for women and the other has no respect for himself. Just abismal.

The best non-action American movie of this pre-pubescent 21st century.

I don't think any other movie has portrayed male friendship as boldly or touching a manner. We see the good, the bad, and the ugly -- from their unfailing support and affection for each other, to their codependent enabling of each other's destructive habits. The movie also contrasts the slow dance of a new, real -- yet tentative -- love (between Giamatti and Madsen) with the intoxication of overwhelming physical attraction (between Hayden Church and Oh) in an unusually clear -- and very entertaining -- manner. Each of the actors brings incredible truth to the characters. You see yourself in them and many others you have known. This movie belongs in every collection. Each viewing will reveal more layers of the uniquely human experience -- our complicated, messy lives, our desire for that perfect moment (or wine), and the pure bliss we experience when we achieve them, however fleetingly.… Expand

Overrated. Overrated. Overrated. When M-critic gives a score greater than 90, I think that this must be a film that must not be missed. It was interesting and funny at times, but I would put it at the bottom of the Netflix quene. The critics should put down the wine and switch to coffee.

I am so happy to read a few other like minded reviews. I thought this was quite possibly the WORST movie I have ever sat through. I am dumbfounded over all the hype. It was slow, mean spirited and NOT at all funny. I want my money back!

Depressing, morally bankrupt and unfunny. The only reason this movie doesn't get a zero is because of the conversation between Giamatti and Madsen on the porch about wine. And I don't drink wine.

Fantastic movie - some of the deepest, and most real, characters of a film in recent times.

Very very very great movie!!!!

The movie was very poignant in its representation of the day to day agonies and painful joys present in contemporary life. By using wine as a conceit, the writers were able to express the complexities of modern day friendships, separation, depression and love. Subtle, devoid of hollywood gimik and rich with the flavor of human experience, Sideways could very well be the best film of the year.

To me it was like Seinfeld without more awkward humor. More embarrassing than fun. I liked none of the characters. The two main characters were self absorbed See,ed to feel that life had short changed them. To me it seemed they got what they deserved. They seemed to understand everyihing so much better than the rest of us. But they did not. Well acted but I have seen these people in real life and I stay away from them.… Expand

I found this movie enjoyable at times, but highly overrated judging by the ratings on this site. The wine talk just had the movie lagging.

The two main characters were unappealing (two loser guys - one on drugs who has cheated on his wife and can't understand why she divorces him, wrote a 2000 page pile of dung, and isn't assertive enough to tell his jerk friend to kiss off - the other so puerile and immature that he has sex with anything with a skirt) Stephanie is a terrible mother who lets a strange put her kid to bed. Maya was an impressive woman until she found Miles remotely appealing. I thought there might be some unknown references that only the wine-and-hollywood set knew of Napa Valley, but I guess not after reading the reviews. I give it an F, and I'm pissed for having wasted my money on Oscar nominations, when I should have gone to Aviator or Neverland.… Expand

Boring characters, yes, but this is real life, excelllent movie.

I had been waiting for months to see this film - the advance notices had been wonderful and enticing, and then it won the SAG award and I went the next day. If I had a watch on, I would have been looking at every few minutes...these "buddies" were so boring, so shallow, so unappealing; I couldn't invest a minute in caring how they fared. When the credits rolled, I couldn't wait to get out and get a glass of pinot to drown my sorrows for falling for the hype!… Expand

This isn't the first time that one of my favorite movies of the year was loathed by some people. The same thing happened with "Punch Drunk Love", so I've tried to be more careful before recommending films to friends and family. But the reaction to this caught me off guard. This movie, like all my favorite movies, inspired my wife and I to talk about the characters later. No, not just comments like "I loved the part when so-and-so...", but actually talk about why we thought the people did the things they did. And I'm not just some film snob; my wife and I like the reality show "Survivior" for the same reason. Some movies just have a great way of revealing the subteties of human nature, both good and bad. I feel sorry for people who feel unsatisfied if the characters are flawed or if there isn't a clear-cut happing ending. It's like being trapped in the mind-set of a high school student who hates a book because "it doesn't have an ending". That's life, people.… Expand

Hilarious and heartfelt. I would have applauded if this movie won the Oscar. A great human comedy.

I am convinced that this movie is getting great reviews because it's the movie people want to be heard saying they loved. This movie was mildly entertaining and I laughed in parts but I also found myself as equally bored in just as many scenes.

One of the most important elements in a film is likable characters, or at least someone you would know in real life. I think the filmakers tried to do the later, as neither Miles nor Jack seemed like the kind of person one would enjoy to spend their company with. Let's face it: Miles was annoying, drunk, and arrogent while Jack spent the entire film trying to get laid. While, I may admit, these are not completely unrealistic characters, they were exaggerated throughout the film to make it 'more interesting'. The result was a waste of time and money. At times it was amusing, but most of the film was down right tedious.… Expand

An absolutely incredible film with great characters and amazing acting.

I think the reason a few people have given this film very low scores is because once in awhile Hollywood actually make a FILM and not some mindless blockbuster with big stars...and lots of special effects and no story line. This film for once has come from Hollywood and has a great story line...good acting and has no real major stars in it. I have given up on Hollywood for producing new films and usually look to foreign films now but this was a very pleasant surprise. For all the people who gave this a low score go watch the usally rubbish like Con Air or Dude where's my car.… Expand

Very well written and directed, superbly acted across the board (with special mention going to Paul Giamatti for deceptively fine work), and emotionally, not easy. I can see why there are those who hated it, but I don't agree with them. I think this film is most definitely a contender for the year's best.

These reviewers have had far too much vin rouge themselves if you ask me!!!! What a lousy boring film with next to no plot...where is the excitement exactly? Perhaps it's because I am English and actually have a sense of humour that this film didn't satisfy me!?!? Haha. Seriously though I wish I could understand just what made such a dull film a smash hit?!?

Definitely deserved the best picture nomination and probably should have won. The best movie I've ever seen in my life. Paul Giamatti's performance was amazing, particularly when he had to react in close-up with no lines when his ex tells him that's she's pregnant. That was an inspirational moment in acting history and I would defy anyone to try an pull off that scene in 100 takes or less.… Expand

I had very high hopes for this movie. I saw this movie and I really don't understand why it has recieved all the praise it has recieved. I thought it was boring and not funny at all. Yuk!

Its not a bad movie, But its been over hyped by the critics. I did enjoy watching the movie, But would I watch it again? No.

I thought it was a horribly boring, nasty, adulterous, drunken movie filled with lies and betrayal and insignificant events ... and not even in an entertaining or funny way! And for those of you who can relate to it or liked it I pity. What the heck were the critics thinking? I'm sick of them and refust to see anymore movies critics like!!!!

People seem mystified as how this movie could pull in such great reviews and receive such praise. Actually, folks, it's very simple: Sidways is a really, really good movie all the way through, which is rare. Rarer still is that it's one that rewards patience, intelligence, and humanism. And rarest of all, it's a movie that, in this day and age, doesn't have any "hip" teenagers, mindless violence, or is a remake or a sequel of some kind. Put it together, and it's no wonder critics ate this up. I was suspect of this movie's rave reviews, and it's always fun to go against a critically praised movie (which is clearly what some people are doing here, just for the hell of it) but the fact of the matter is that Sideways delivers, and repeat viewings only reinforce it, not dilute it. Get over it and move on to you next disappointing summer blockbuster, people. The more of those you see, the more movies like Sideways I get, as the descerning audiences lie in wait for something that cleanses the palette like, well, a fine wine. Drink up and enjoy.… Expand

Hm...yeah. I don't understand the hype at all. Had a lot more fun watching "I heart Huckabees" than this pretentious film. Left me with a big "SO WHAT." At least David O. Russell can make fun of himself and doesn't think he's god. Just read the 3 screen explanations on deleted scenes on DVD and you get a good sense of the fact that Alexander Payne loves to hear himself talk...The wine analogy/subtext scene is great as well as Paul. That's about it though....gimme a break with the whole "break-into-the-house-white-trash-sex-scene" -- sensationalism and slapstick always seem to work...i guess.… Collapse

This movie is slow moving and overrated. I'm still trying to figure out why it's called a comedy, it's not funny!

Please don't ever make me hang out with boring people like this again. I can't afford to lose 2 more hours of my life. This film could not be more over-rated.

Extremely heartfelt and original.

Great Movie... I loved it... so funny and soo much more entertaining than The Aviator or Million Dollar Baby.

Good character development.

While this was an amusing movie that held my attention, it is also easily the most overrated movie of the year and one of the most overrated movies ever. The many implausibilities in the script, slapstick diversions, and predictibility of the story, makes this an ordinary film. The real question is how so many good critics wildly overpraised this movie.

Totally over-rated and and immensely boring. It's like watching some strange remake of "Arthur" without the money and without cute, little Dudley Moore. Alexander Payne has made a movie in which he asks us to care (and laugh at) a couple of drunk idiots and their travails. These are the people you meet at parties from whom you can't wait to get away. If you want to watch a movie which actually speaks truth about friendship; drinking; drugs; and writing, rent "Wonder Boys".… Expand

A comedy? I don't think I laughed once. Somewhat pleasant to watch but no more than that.

Im from the UK. What interests me about the negative comments is their truly conservative nature. Is this a reflection of US attitudes in general - insular and narrow - I hope not. This film is a true american classic - be proud and shout it! It was reviewed well over here too.The detractors i'm sure would prefer yet more comfortable glossy mass appeal films using routine formulas. So what if you dont fall in love with the lead roles - this is a slice of real life mid life crisis. Outstanding!!… Expand

A great movie for misunderstood pseudo-intellectuals with little or no personality. Critics love it for this reason. Also, if you stopped drinking Merlot becuase of this movie - you should be sterilized.

Paul Giamatti performance was the only highlight of the film. The depressing story almost requires a Zanex like in the movie. A step above a snuff film.

I'm also from the UK and cannot understand why this film has been dissed by American viewers. It may not be Citizen Kane but it hits the spot so many times that, in its own terms, it is a perfect movie. Perhaps the Critics' Movie tag is inviting disappointment (Don't Believe the Hype) but you must have a sense of humour bypass if you don't laugh even a few times: remember Paul G. recovering his buddy's wallet from the bedroom, where the waitress is being shagged by her trucker husband, who is then chased by the naked trucker back to the car and jiggle - WHAM!? Just as a sight gag it's a masterpiece. Perhaps jiggling penises don't go down too well in the Mid-West (Ooh-er)? The other thing that makes this film perfect is the warmth and insight into male foibles. It's not a 10 'cos it ain't an ambitious film (eg Kane) but if only Britain could make a film like this now (we can't).… Expand

I thought this movie would be boring and pretentious, but it was neither! It was really funny and good.