Sideways - (Payne;2004;USA) - ****
Before one is to be married, two friends take a weeklong trip through wine country, meeting two women along the way.
Another excellent film by Alexander Payne. About Schmidt was better IMO, but this is not far behind. The dialogue is in top form, and Payne is great at blending drama with subtle humor. The character development is one of my favorite things about it. The cast is also up there, with great performances from Giamatti, Church, Madsen, and Oh. Alexander Payne is easily one of the three best directors of today.
#29

Best of 2004
01. Million Dollar Baby
02. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
03. Kill Bill vol.2
04. Sideways
05. Closer
06. The Passion of the Christ
07. Collateral
08. The Aviator
09. The Woodsman
10. Finding Neverland