Paul Giamatti (left) and Thomas Haden Church (middle) discuss the finer points of wine with director Alexander Payne (right).

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More from Miscellaneous

Wine Film Is a Grape Success

Widespread praise for Sideways brings wine to the big screen

Posted: November 1, 2004

Wine lovers are having their day at the movies, where the new wine-centric film Sideways is drawing big crowds and enthusiastic praise from critics. Several have even called for Oscar nominations.

New York magazine's Peter Rainer thinks it's "the sweetest, funniest, most humane movie I've seen all year." Rolling Stone's Peter Travers writes, "You won't have a better time at the movies this year." And The New York Times's Manohla Dargis says, "The emergence of [director Alexander] Payne into the front ranks of American filmmakers isn't just cause for celebration; it's a reason for hope."

To learn more about the film, read our news story about its release and our Wine Talks with Alexander Payne and author Rex Pickett, whose novel Sideways was the inspiration for the film.