Sideways

Paul Giamatti was already a cult hero following superb roles in Milos Forman's Man on the Moon and the recent American Splendor, but with the sleeper hit of the year, Sideways, he finally proves he is one of the finest character actors in Hollywood and perfectly capable of leading a big movie. Reaping award after award and receiving five stars across the board from a normally discordant gaggle of critics, Sideways became a must see film - and it deserves that accolade. Never trying to fly higher than it needs, it is a slight, simple story, immaculately observed and lovingly acted. Giamatti and Haden Church play off each other so well acheiving instant sympathy and earning some of recent cinema's biggest laughs in the final third. Not spectacular by any means, but faultless nontheless. The script is the real star: economical, funny and always true to its characters. It will attract the middle-ages and beyond more than the younger generation, but it will be around for years in favourites lists and by the time they mature like a fine wine they will love it too. Kx