I watched this once a few months ago and was singularly unimpressed. I decided to wait awhile and see if it might be better the second time. To my surprise, it was more tolerable-probably because I knew when the few good things were coming. Otherwise, tramping around in the wine country with a pretentious amateur wine taster and wannabe author and his sex driven buddy gets pretty boring, pretty quick. It was soporific the first time around and the granniemose sleep-o-meter was tripped at a stunning 43 seconds from the first spoken word in this film. I believe that is the standing record.

Although I appreciate the director's approach to his movies, a sort of view from the middle, I can’t see this flick as one of the best of the year. And while I appreciate the ability of these actors to play realistic characters, my response to this is very like my response to Payne’s other film, ABOUT SCHMIDT. It is merely a tribute to banality. I suppose it could be justified by saying boring people have lives too. There is a spot or two in both of these films to which most of us can relate at one time or another. I don’t necessarily see that as a good thing.

WRITING AND DIRECTING

Alexander Payne got an Oscar (with Jim Taylor) for the screenplay for this film. He was nominated in a few other categories as well. The dialog was well done, and it seemed spot on as the story limped along. The characters of the two friends are further defined and at the same time become more isolated and alienated, particularly Miles. The finesse comes from the fact that the audience already knows how different their attitudes and personalities are. It just becomes more obvious to the characters themselves. In the brief “making of” featurette, the actors discuss the fact that this director does not work from a monitor, but takes a more direct observation stance, more typical of a stage director. In fact it is easy to see this moving picture as a stage play on wheels. The fact that most of film is made on location adds a little to the believability.

This is supposed to be a comedy, but I think it is only a comedy in the classical sense. (In Greek tragedy-everybody dies. In Greek comedy- there is a happy ending) For the most part I found the movie painfully depressing. There is only one scene that got my attention the first time around, and brought me back to view it again. It involves a scene with Payne’s wife, Sandra Oh.


CINEMATOGRAPHY

There were some interesting shots in this flick, and some interesting visual associations. In one instance as Miles talks drunkenly to his ex wife on the phone, the lights and all the surroundings become more blurred and chaotic, as the colors intensify and the shapes merge into each other. There is in addition, some nice vignettes of California wine country. Phedon Papamichaelgets the credit.

MUSIC-

It was subtle and played like background piano music in a yuppie bar. It moves when the plot moves. So it was pretty much spot on for the film, but who is ever going to remember it? Sorry Rolfe (Kent). That’s just the way I see, or rather hear, it.

EDITING

I have to say this is the most impressive technical element in this movie. Scenes were cut, (as we see in the deleted scenes) to pare this down to a manageable play time, with a reasonably tight structure. It keeps on target by avoiding digressions into the darkness of Miles’ depression, or the superficiality of Jack’s actor’s persona. It was hard enough to watch the many moments of silent pondering, and this movie barely passes even on the Jude sleep-o-meter. Thumbs up to Kevin Tent.

SPECIAL FEATURES

There is a feature length commentary by the two principle actors, Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, which was at times funnier than the movie. At best it is an extension of their movie relationship and will only be enjoyed by those of you already in love with this flick. There was a brief but not enlightening behind the scenes feature, and some deleted scenes, which were deleted for a good reason.

THE PLOT

The premise for this story is two guys in their late youth, heading into middle age (or as the blurb pouts it, heading in to their mid life crisis). One guy is a sensitive, intellectual school teacher, who even after two years is obsessing about his divorce. The other guy, an actor (not a famous one) is about to get married. They plan a trip in which Miles, the intellectual, is going to introduce Jack, the heathen, to the joys of wine tasting. They head up to wine country. Jack has a slightly different agenda. He sees this trip as a last hurrah, his final chance to act like a single guy and get himself laid. Miles is somewhat appalled by this.

If you are interested in hearing about the subtleties of wines and grape growing, you are invited to tag along. If you just don’t get it (about wine tasting) don’t worry, you are not alone. No matter what wine they sample, Jack’s response will be the same. Jack though, also thinks it is time for Miles to get over his failed marriage and tries to get something going between Miles and a waitress near the motel where they are staying.

I don’t think this is a very promising story lead. But, if you do not mind listening to the whining of a self pitying, self deceiving, and pitiful middle aged guy for most of two hours, you might actually want to travel this road with Miles and Jack. But I won’t tell you anything else about the plot, since there isn’t much else to tell. Remember, in the words on Aerosmith, and many before them, Life is more than just the destination.


CAST AND PERFORMANCES


Really this is a four person monopoly, heavily tipped on the male side. It is the characters of Jack and Miles, Maya and Stephanie that dominate. The really interesting aspect of the casting was that many of the “road scenes” playing out in bars, stores and restaurants used the actual workers in that establishment. Other (unknowns) were from Sandra Oh’s acting class. The best part of the performance matrix is that they all worked so well together.

Paul Giamatti as Miles. This is the character lead and he is a slightly paunchy, balding man with a weak chin and wet sorrowful eyes. I have seen this actor look better, and I admire the extent to which the actor became this character. He is not attractive physically, and not attractive mentally either. There are those of us drawn to these pitiful, needy, would-be intellectuals, and if you are one of them you may find some sympathy for this sad sack. Personally I liked the actor better as the Gate Guard, in ROBOTS. The character has written a book: an extremely long and seemingly tedious book. He allows Jack to lie to the girls telling them the book is about to be published.

Thomas Haden Church as Jack. The character is a guy who has been an actor for years and is now down to the dregs of acting work, doing commercials. He trades on his face that some people remember in a soap opera, and is superficial charming and always disarming. He became Miles friend (or the other way around) as roommates in college.
He is personable, and counters the dark and sour looks of his friend worth a sunny smile, and outgoing personality. His life work is a kind of deception, so lying to women is not a problem. He almost seems to be in love with the girl he finds. But that’s all you are going to hear about Jacks sexcapades from me. This guy was actually pretty funny, and shallow, and probably worth the movie rental to watch. I especially liked him in the second golf scene, and in his voicing the commercials he did as a party trick. In a way, what happens to Jack in this trip sounds like the vengeance of the pure of heart (and weak of mind). You may remember this guy as the mechanic in WINGS.
He is not nearly as dumb as he seems to be.

Virginia Madsen as Maya. This is one character who is 100% what she says she is, and the standard for honesty and integrity. Recently divorced she is working her way through graduate school, and she is interested in Miles. You cam see in his face that he felt himself vastly superior to her through education, wine tasting and general intellect, and seems shocked to discover this side of her. The 2400 dollar question is whether Miles will ever realize what a kindred spirit she is. Madsen plays this character very well.

Sandra Oh as Stephanie, the girl that Jack finds. She is friends with Maya, but she meets Jack at the winery where she works as the hostess of the wine tasting. She is quick witted, funny and a single Mom. She likes Jack and they have good chemistry together. The question is how she will react when she inevitably learns that Jack is about to be married? She is the sole reason I watched this movie again. This lady is married (or maybe " was married" by now) to the director. This isn’t her first movie but it is one of her bigger parts. She was terrific. No improvement needed.

Marylouise Burke as Miles Mother. In the scene with this lady, the most disturbing event of the movie takes place. Miles stops with Jack on the way to the wine country to celebrate his mother’s b birthday. She fawns all over Jack, as the former soap opera star. But while she is chatting with Jack, Miles goes into her bedroom and steals cash. I found that act reprehensible an unforgivable. She would have obviously given him anything he asked for. What is this a male pride sort of thing? You can’t admit you are broke in front of your friend so you steal from your mother? Burke’s performance was OK, but nothing to write home about.

Jessica Hecht as Victoria. This is Miles ' ex wife, who has to his chagrin, married again recently. He was obviously much in love with her, and she was quiet, but far from beautiful. Another of Sandra Oh’s friends from school.

Missy Doty as Cammi, Jack’s second conquest. This particular rendezvous has some consequences. Ok I admit this scene was hilarious and somehow disturbing

MC Gainey as Cammi’s Husband. The other necessary part of the hilarious scene.

Alysia Reiner as Christine Erganian, the bride to be, who has only a couple of lines in the movie but is a presence all through it as Jack fools around.

Duke Moosekian as Mike Erganian. This guy has a few lines at the beginning and begins the discovery of what makes Miles tick. When he learns Miles has written a book, he says he hopes it isn’t fiction. since it would not be worth reading. Miles visibly deflates.

Patrick Gallagher as Gary the Bartender. More than one line, and a link to Maya. Another of Sandra Oh’s friends.

Stephanie Faracy as Stephanie’s’ mother. She is blond, dumpy and Caucasian, looking like trailer trash. See her as a popular stereotype for all the things most people don’t want to be. Perhaps Stephanie’s ambitions are more impressive with this background.

The rest of the cast is even less important and I’ll spare you the sordid details.

FINALLY

I don’t suppose there are many movies about male mid life crises. This movie might actually show us why that is. If I had one question about this movie it would be, why? Don’t we see enough depression and self pity in our everyday lives? No? Hmmm. It must just be me then. Sorry.




Recommended:
No

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age