Directed by Alexander Payne and co-scripted by Payne and Jim Taylor based on a novel by Rex Pickett, “Sideways” cleverly spins the story of two pals setting off on what is supposed to be a memorable week. Paul Giamatti gives a nuanced performance as Miles, a writer down in the dumps because he can’t get his novel published. He is pining for his former wife with an unrealistic hope that they might get together again. Miles’ friend Jack is an over-exuberant actor who is getting married at the end of the week but has never grown up. His aim is to score with chicks in one last fling before the wedding, and in the process see that Miles scores too. Thomas Haden Church is a riot in the part and would steal the picture from Giamatti if Giamatti weren’t so good as well.

Miles, a connoisseur of fine wines, intends to educate Jack as they go from one winery to another, while Jack, who knows nothing about wine, tries to learn, with hilarious results as all he can muster is pretension while he swigs away, much to Miles’ consternation. More fun begins when Jack gets involved with Stephanie, portrayed winsomely and sexily by Sandra Oh, and Miles’s is goaded by Jack into dating Maya, given a lovely characterization by the appealing Virginia Madsen. Both women are also into the world of wine.

An unusual aspect of the film is the balance it achieves by both being an ode to California vineyards and a send-up of all of the pretentious talk about wine. Wine is also used as a metaphor, with a description of the delicacy of one vintage meant also to describe the delicacy of Miles, who has the possibility of blossoming into someone wonderful with the right tender care, which Maya may be able to provide.