PIZZA WARRIOR
This thread is to discuss Alexander Payne's comedy/drama, "Sideways", a marvelous tale about two middle-aged friends who confront their lives during a tour of the wine country of Southern California.
Here they meet two fascinating women, who are challenged by life themselves, and through a common interest of fine wine, they all try to find meaning in their mundane lives, in a very warm, human story.
There is much irony here, from the casting of the lead characters, to the well-written script, as well as the beautiful settings.
The casting of Paul Giamatti has been critically praised as a master stroke, though the Academy Award people felt compelled not to nominate him for Best Actor.
Also praiseworthy is the performance of Virginia Madsen as Maya, the waitress.
In a brief, but moving and very meaningful performance, Madsen makes a career comeback after 12 years absent from major Hollywood films.
A former waitress herself, as well as a wine snob, Virginia was well prepared for this role, which turned out to be the anchor of the film.
Her nomination for Best Supporting Actress is the greatest of accomplishments for someone whose career was surviving only through roles in marginal independent films, and guest TV appearances, since her last major film, "Candyman".
On the day of her nomination, her house was to be foreclosed for the SECOND time, and on that day, she received a major role in Harrison Ford's new film, "The Wrong Element".
It would truly be a storybook ending if this film scored at the Oscars this Sunday.
It is also favored to do well at the Independent Film Awards later today.
Here they meet two fascinating women, who are challenged by life themselves, and through a common interest of fine wine, they all try to find meaning in their mundane lives, in a very warm, human story.
There is much irony here, from the casting of the lead characters, to the well-written script, as well as the beautiful settings.
The casting of Paul Giamatti has been critically praised as a master stroke, though the Academy Award people felt compelled not to nominate him for Best Actor.
Also praiseworthy is the performance of Virginia Madsen as Maya, the waitress.
In a brief, but moving and very meaningful performance, Madsen makes a career comeback after 12 years absent from major Hollywood films.
A former waitress herself, as well as a wine snob, Virginia was well prepared for this role, which turned out to be the anchor of the film.
Her nomination for Best Supporting Actress is the greatest of accomplishments for someone whose career was surviving only through roles in marginal independent films, and guest TV appearances, since her last major film, "Candyman".
On the day of her nomination, her house was to be foreclosed for the SECOND time, and on that day, she received a major role in Harrison Ford's new film, "The Wrong Element".
It would truly be a storybook ending if this film scored at the Oscars this Sunday.
It is also favored to do well at the Independent Film Awards later today.