SIDEWAYS into a wry, comedic exploration of the crazy vicissitudes of love and friendship, the damnable persistence of loneliness and dreams and the enduring war between Pinot and Cabernet.
The misadventures begin when Miles (Paul Giamatti), an un-recovered divorcé and would-be novelist with a wine fixation, decides to gift his old college buddy and washed-up actor Jack (Thomas Haden Church) with a celebratory trip to the vineyards of the Central Coast the week before Jack's wedding. The two couldn't be an odder couple. Jack is an over-sexed charmer; Miles is a sad-sack worrier. Jack is looking for his "last taste of freedom;" Miles is just hoping to not get even more depressed. Jack is fine with cheap Merlot; Miles pines for the perfect Pinot. Indeed, the only thing they seem to share in common is the same heady mix of failed ambitions and fading youth.
And yet, as they make their way up the coast, Miles and Jack soon find themselves drowning in wine and women (Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen). When Jack falls head-over-heels for a local wine pourer and threatens to call off his nuptials, Miles tries to keep his friend on the straight and narrow. But Miles's own romantic encounter with a wine-savvy waitress interferes and sends them both careening headlong into reality.
Now, the wedding approaches and with it the certainty that Miles and Jack won't make it back to Los Angeles unscathed or unchanged . . . if they get there in one piece at all.
SIDEWAYS is written by the multiple award- winning team of Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor (ABOUT SCHMIDT, ELECTION), based on Rex Pickett's novel of the same name. The film is produced by Michael London (THIRTEEN, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG) and co-produced by George Parra, assistant director on such films as LEGALLY BLONDE 2 and ABOUT SCHMIDT. Shot by director of photography Phedon Papamichael (MOONLIGHT MILE, IDENTITY), the film is set to a soulful score composed by Rolfe Kent. Joining forces with Payne, and following their collaborations on ABOUT SCHMIDT, ELECTION and CITIZEN RUTH, are editor Kevin Tent and production designer Jane Ann Stewart.
THOMAS HADEN CHURCH (Jack)
Thomas Haden Church is perhaps best known for his role as Lowell Mather on the popular, long-running series "Wings" and as Ned Dorsey in the series "Ned and Stacy." Church also starred in the blockbuster hit GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, opposite Brendan Fraser, and 3,000 MILES TO GRACELAND, with Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner. Church's other feature credits include TOMBSTONE, LONE STAR STATE OF MIND, SCOTCH AND MILK, THE BADGE, MONKEYBONE and THE SPECIALS.
Last year, Church worked on both sides of the camera, acting and making his directorial debut on ROLLING KANSAS, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He began his entertainment career as a radio deejay and a voice-over announcer with a talent for mimicry. Soon, he landed a role in the independent film STOLEN MOMENTS. Church continues to do voiceovers for commercials as well as the Cartoon Network.
