What a good title Sideways is for this movie, because most of the film the characters are so drunk they see everything all twisted. Not since Arthur has career alcoholism looked this appealing on the big screen.

It’s a buddy film, steeped with inside jokes and pokes at wine and the congregation at the fringes of the wine industry. Like impressive tidbits about pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon? Sideways is for you!

But Sideways is also a love story. Set against the backdrop of one friend’s last hurrah as a bachelor, each friend approaches the week long escape with a different idea. Miles, the dutiful friend, sees it as an opportunity for fine wines, meals and golf. To the groom to be Jack, it’s a booty call. Enter the conflict.

There’s humor too, outrageous gut busting laughs. At the end of the day, it’s a very watchable. In a line – the heroes come to wine country in search of adventure, and discover themselves.

What’s good about this movie:

1) Paul Giamatti made dorky awkwardness cool again. Thank you, Sir Paul! There’s hope for geeks everywhere.

2) Overall the story is melancholy, yet comic.

3) The first ever smack down with a motorcycle helmet.

Verdict: Theater full price, or DVD purchase.

NOTE: One warning, beware the scene where Miles recovers Jack’s wallet. Something very disturbing is about to happen. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!