Blogcritics: Comments on SIDEWAYS

Comment by Nick Jones

Tue, 28 Dec 2004 14:19:06 EST

I'm not overly concerned with the Oscar race, I just like to see excellent work rewarded, especially of those in the indie field. As far as I recall, one of my favorite 'small' films in the last ten years (Big Night) was not nominated at all, but I don't think less of it for all that. And if you haven't seen Big Night, please do. Just eat before you see it, or otherwise the fantastic meals made in the penultimate scenes will have you drooling.

Comment by Eric Berlin

Tue, 28 Dec 2004 12:40:49 EST

You seem very concerned about the Oscar ramifications for this film. With all respect, does that really matter or have much at all to do with how good the film is? In my mind, it's been the small, indie-minded films that have really blown me away over the last several years (Lost in Translation comes to mind first and foremost). Only a few big budget blockbusters, like Lord of the Rings (directed by an indie horror director), have matched up in my book. Eric Berlin Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash http://dumpsterbust.blogspot.com

Comment by Nick Jones

Tue, 28 Dec 2004 10:44:44 EST

Having seen this two days ago, I agree with you that it won't get the Big Prize. But the performances, especially Paul Giamatti, Virginia Madsen, and Sandra Oh, certainly deserve any nominations they get. I'd even go so far as to assert that Giamatti deserves a Best Actor win. It's not like we haven't seen this story before: Mr. Ego and Uptight Guy meet some Chicks on a roadtrip, and Uptight Guy learns to Seize The Day. But the performances, the screenplay and the patient direction raise this several notches above your typical roadtrip flick. Like a good wine, Alexander Payne allows his film to breathe, and that makes all the difference.