Revisiting Sideways

[@mbaxter22]

I adore this movie and keep coming back to it periodically. It really speaks to me.

[@nicholasjoost5111]

Can't believe your fantastic analysis is 5 years old. I think the film is a great adaptation and they made all the right choices. It's better than the novel in my opinion. Great chemistry between the cast. Awesome job!

[@1298Lewis]

I found sideways on a list of must watch films for guys and I must admit the first time I watched it I didn't really get all the fuss. But the second and third time I really appreciated how the movie sucks you in and creates a totally unique atmosphere - you feel like you are there with Miles and Jack. The music, scenery, dialogue...it's really does take you in. Interesting analysis, I haven't read the novel but I can see you are a big fan of the movie as I am.

[@wjatube]

Stephanie was given a daughter in the movie so as to further add to the betrayal and anger she displayed while attacking Jack with the helmet.

[@elmoblatch9787]

Well done. I saw one theory that posited Miles had actually killed himself at the end. He was "ascending to heaven" on those steps and Maya's hints on the phone about suicide in Miles' novel. Plus the theme of death from A Separate Peace is read aloud. Ultimately, I think the ending is indeed open-ended. I prefer to think that Miles and Maya end up together, start a winery, and live happily ever after.

[@tommym321]

There is No happily ever after in life. Ever.

[@Nemosan01]

Well, there are several books after the first book

[@randy25rhoads]

Excellent video and one of my favorite movies. Two comments: 1) I’ve never interpreted Miles telling Miya about the upcoming wedding as intensional. His look of regret after he lets it slip away sled me to believe it was an accident that thoughtful look to his right beforehand I always attributed to him thinking about a crossword answer. 2) I always got a kick out the ending in the novel where Jack’s new wife asks if he slept around on the trip, then told Miles to tell him that “they’re even”, implying she had a wild week too.

[@preahko]

I would say that all the changes from novel to screenplay were wisely chosen and positive.

[@Furtivo95]

I met Rex Pickett in Santa Monica on May 2012 at the premier of his Sideways Play at the at the Ruskin Theater. Me and my friend asked him many candid questions including which character he was most like in the book. He said he was a combination of Jack and Miles. Jack was his sort of alter-ego.

[@trexinvert]

I read that he didn't appreciate his portrayal as being so pathetic. However, that's the genius of Alexander Payne's adaptation/screenplay. From reading the book, I see Rex portrays himself much "cooler" . Especially reading the beginning chapter where he talks about hanging out at a regular Santa Monica wine bar.

[@Furtivo95]

@@trexinvert Excellent point! I read the book as a well and I agree the book does give Jack a more refined persona. Rex seemed quite bitter actually about how unappreciative locals were of him in San Ynez. They said the Sideways tourism was awful. He said all the landowners became millionaires overnight as many winemakers tried to buy land after the movie. He added he put Pinot Noir on the map….”no one drank Pinot before my book!”

[@trexinvert]

@@Furtivo95 That's very illuminating about your encounter with Rex. How was his play, Sideways? I can't imagine you can perfect on the movie, with a stage play unless you have some really stunning actors. I have never met him, but what always strikes me as very interesting is this. Comparing Rex's picture on the book, Sideways, to the actual person in the video. A young handsome "kid" on the book, and in videos such a "bloated" middle aged person. Not shaming him, but I guess "fame" can really age you. Anyways, I highly recommend for you to read his sequel, Vertical, it actually is a very interesting juxtaposition of what seems his real life after the movie went big. This was released in 2010 and it hasn't really caught on. Be warned like the first book, Rex is very heavy with the "sometimes boring" descriptions and "woody allenesque" neurosis dialogue. Always read with wine in hand. I'm doing a 2nd reading of Vertical. Cheers.

[@Furtivo95]

@@trexinvert The play really didn’t translate I suppose. Maybe on a bigger stage like Broadway. It was pretty low budget play. Rex struck me as cynical, arrogant, belittling like Miles but also clever, straight forward and amusing like Jack. He said he was a total golf junkie back in the day. The reason he started going to Santa Barbara in the 90s was due to the cheaper golf fees. Never read Vertical as Sideways didn’t seem to beckon for a sequel. But since you speak so favorably, maybe I’ll give it a try. What do you recommend - print or audio?

[@trexinvert]

@@Furtivo95 Print/Audio? You know I've never used an audio book. I have friends that swear by it, and I can see that being very useful for a long drive. However, I'm old school and always enjoy reading printed words. It gives you the "power" to create the voice/character in your own head as you read it. They become alive. Most audio books employ a second rate voice actor to read, and I don't know if the voice, words and action really synchronize the vision in your head. In addition, after watching a great movie like sideways the voices/image of Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh are permanently etched in my brain. So, again hearing a second rate voice actor do those characters would be quite jarring/disconnecting. Thus, I definitely recommend getting the actual book to get the full enjoyment of Rex's 2nd book. Since, you actually met the author for both books, I think you will find the 2nd book both enjoyable and also a bit "surreal/meta" because he is really making fun of himself or the "dream life" of his disappointment of "fame". Enjoy.

[@zephyrjet122]

Always one of my favorites! Every aspect so well done, which each in itself is hard to pull off: casting, acting, editing, cinematography, story, pacing! So many emotions come thru in this movie.

[@IIIIIIII]

this is probably my favorite movie of all-time. it reminds me of many experiences i had with an ex-girlfriend, and it ended in hurt and tragedy for me as well. though i like that at the end of the film, miles has seemingly found hope for the future, as i did myself. brilliant analysis

[@jrevell158]

Note: "The restaurant" in the Merlot scene from the film discussed in this video, Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe, actually is in Los Olivos, not Santa Ynez. 😉

[@TheWallygatorca]

Another great deep dive! Fine effort and achievement! Thank You! I will have to disagree about the way Miles tells Maya about the wedding in the movie. It is absolutely blurted or slipped out. His look of deep thought is in the crossword puzzle, not about how he is going to let Maya know about the wedding. He answers her question brutally honest as a secondary thought, because he’s thinking about the puzzle (looking away), and writes down an answer, and then looks forward like a deer in the headlights (busted) as she asks, “Who’s getting married?” Side note: There are 4 knocks on the doors at the start and at the end of the film. Does this have anything to do with the 4 main characters? Or...

[@TheWallygatorca]

Possibly Alexander Payne was having fun with the knocks.... When Jack knocks on the hotel room door after fleeing Cammi’s, he knocks 5 times at first, maybe representing now a new character to the story???

[@adamo.2571]

You forgot another novel-film disparity. In the novel, Miles somehow funds his lifestyle through participating in medical studies (and stealing from his mom). In the film, he had “sold out” and become a middle/high school English teacher after failing to publish his manuscripts.

[@pammyb1316]

I loved this movie and loved your analysis of this movie!

[@martinmcdonald4207]

This modern movie classic is 20 years old. Laugh out loud scenes i can never tire of. Genius good ol` slap stick scenes like when they push the Saab down the hill to hit the tree in order to damage the front and miss the the tree. The ostritch scene is unforgettable too. Love this movie and never tire of watching, a bit like Jaws, hooked!

[@gordonowens7794]

I thought you would mention the suicide of Miles' Father something we don't realize until Mayas voice over reveals it and by the expression of Miles' face you realize when earlier in the film he says his book is a little auto biographical you then realize the gravity of those words and it hit me like a sledge hammer.

[@commentjedi]

This film is like a place you can visit for comfort.

[@blitzbreakdownchess]

This is a masterpiece! Please keep making content! I really admire your consistency, content creation can be so unforgiving when you're in an obscure niche. Loved this video and your analysis.

[@torgilekman1598]

Really enjoyed the movie and havent yet read the book. Great analysis, thanks!!

[@mikepastor.k6233]

I always wondered why Miles was prescribed vicodens. In a deleted scene he went to a pharmacy to get more and shared them with Jack after Jack sufferer his injury. Was Miles suffering something as well. Maybe it was easier to get them at the time of the movie.

[@wg1294]

Watching it with the commentary turned on is even better.

Excellent! Thank you so much for this!

[@derfanddarf1]

I strongly disagree with your idea that Maya liking winter is a hint as to her dark side - liking winter isn't a dark quality in the slightest - and I also can't understand how, after reading the book, one likes Jack more than Miles. Miles is way more relatable.

[@cjboffoli]

Nice analysis Robert. I enjoyed watching this. One note: Paso Robles is one of those Spanish names that Californians pronounce a bit differently (and not correct to Spanish language rules as you are pronouncing it in this video). If you listen to how Sandra Oh's character in the film, that's the correct way to say it. More like Paso ROW-bulls.

[@emazonreviews6269]

Can you do an update to an update I always come back to this movie and analysis

[@outdooradventures1361]

They need a part two somehow

[@chrisjohnson9135]

Thanks for this analysis! I read all 3 books last year. I wish they would make a sequel of either, although Vertical seems easier to pull off. You did a nice comparison here. They made some interesting choices in the screenplay, for me it was the differences with Miles and the girls so striking. Miles seems to be much more of a loser in the movie as well Sideways will always remain one of my favorite movies and I also thoroughly enjoyed the books

[@vintageswiss9096]

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (et al) came out in 02/03 and cultural tropes were all the rage at the time. Making Christine Armenian fits for the popular Hollywood films at the time, even though it makes no difference/sense in context. Changing the love interest to a "foreign" actress is just one of those Hollywood things you learn to deal with when contrasting novels vs films. Same reason they changed Stephanie to an Asian.

[@cowboywaingro7259]

Amazing work. Thanks and keep it up

[@davecongalton6238]

It's hard to believe we read the same novel. Alexander Payne took a chainsaw to Pickett's book and completely, masterfully, retold the story. There is absolutely no comparison between the two, a fact underscored by Payne winning the Oscar for Best Screenplay that year. Payne cut out th trip to Hearst Castle and the marriage of Miles and Maya in Paso Robles at the end. Payne takes the essence of the novel and makes it far more compelling.

[@JonJonJonJonJonJonJonJon]

The film is 75 percent of the book. I’d hardly say chainsaw. All the beats are there bar the boar hunting scene and the end.

[@jonathankoziol6573]

Mile’s and Jack’s relationship makes more sense in the novel.

[@andrewiangillies]

Thoroughly enjoyed all your analysis, but have to say.....I like both their characters. I find them both very real, very human, ultimately good intentioned but flawed in their own way. I guess it's because I can relate that I like them.

[@andrewcruz1931]

I love this movie and your review!!

[@aaronka1976]

Thanks for this and the previous video analysis. I would just add that Payne used all of Pickett's manuscripts for the novel, so some of the things that didn't make it in the novel were used in the film. Obviously Pickett, a screenwriter, gave his input too, so it's hard to say who created what without talking to Payne and Pickett about each detail. Of course, there's no arguing that the film connected with a far wider audience than the book. Here are 2 recent interviews with Pickett from a wine consumer perspective: winediplomats.com/review-interview-with-rex-pickett-about-his-sideways-pinot-noir/ & vimeo.com/427206259

[@artifactis]

"I'm not drinking any fucken merlot". "don't go to the dark side" "Loved your book miles I hope you are well" I loved this film and still do.

[@jacquesreilly1850]

I hope Jack's wish of Miles getting his bone smooched came true.

[@mudoni5160]

I really wish the film would have added the 10 extra minutes or so to start out on Friday with Miles at the Tasting. I'm sure true fans of the movie would not mind the additional footage.

[@chrismathis4162]

Movie much better than the novel. Much tighter.

[@christianblasch3918]

More congealed

[@mjbachman3027]

​@@christianblasch3918You're looking for color and clarity. Just get a sense of it.

[@89cgil]

Nice job

[@jackdaniels2905]

I always recommend this movie to my wine drinking friends and they always have never seen it. To me the movie is a slow burn and the ending makes it well worth it.

[@leastlikedcritic7529]

Sometimes what works in the book, does not always agree it will work in the movie.

[@donngu]

26:14 the gas prices!! 😭

[@jimbobshambles]

I love this movie and I’m not a movie person.

[@vintageswiss9096]

Oh. Wild Boar Day is a day in an Polynesian island culture where all the married members of a tribe get to have sex with other people with no consequence. The Wild Boar hunt was Jack's figurative attempt at getting to have casual sex with no consequence while on the trip

[@victoriousrufus6747]

A wonderful film!

[@tonybaloney26]

great movie

[@MichaelBoltonsEntireCatalog]

MC Gainey would've been a good Brad. Instead, he smashed his bag on the passenger window. Fantastic comparison overall.

[@bioveraorganics4369]

Cult movie. Pinot Noir all the way!

[@GenLeeConcepts]

It's funny to see how many folks are really good at analyzing this film. I wish I had such talent. Although the actors were all very talented, all I remember was my surface-viewing and how both male characters were a couple of dirtbags. The movie sickened me. Also, after adoring Virginia Madson in "Modern Girls", seeing her aging real hit me, as she's close to my age. It was like looking in a mirror and suddenly feeling outdated in the world. I was in the wine business back in the late ''70s/early '80s and would hang out up near that area-esp. The Mosby Winery and Sandford & Benedict. It seems like every decade, those wineries turn over/change names and everything else changes with them. But one thing is certain: it's a small area and there are all kinds of family stories worthy of more movies! ;-)

[@edwardre6323]

I thought he was broke and unemployed in the novel

[@Furtivo95]

I think Terra is more clever name than Stephanie. Terra means earth.

[@jonweiss1358]

Interesting Analysis! I like this Movie & Wine. Jonny Weiss "Child Inside" Song KZbin. 🎶

[@howardkahn4330]

more work done in the analysis then the novel.....lpl

[@johnperrigo6474]

Hollywood schlock. A beautiful woman falls for a guy like him. Yeah, dream on guys. You've been had.

[@SF_Curious]

A movie is not and it shouldn’t be a novel/book

[@shafferkropke7271]

Wdym?

[@Gen-yh1jz]

Also Miles Mom was Hispanic. Jack calls Miles Homie short from Homeboy. Miles doesn’t know why since his skin is white. This is from my memory so forgive me for any mistakes. Love the movie but always wondered how cool it would have been if they had actually cast a Latino actor for the part.

[@kismetology8031]

whos dad is this?

[@northernbrother1258]

Saab is a better choice.