Sideways
Decent buddy-pic that, though overly earnest, earns respect for its emotional shadings. Sideways tells of the weeklong bachelor walkabout of two college buddies, both of whom have fallen into mid-life mediocrity. They travel to California wine country (not Napa, but Monterey), find new relationships (serious and casual), and, as these things are wont to do, learn a few things along the way (or not).
Paul Giamatti is an unpublished author and amateur connoisseur, a stock lovable loser, ; as you know, Giamatti is about to take over William H. Macy's position as first casting choice for such roles. Thomas Hayden Church is his simple-minded sidekick, a couple I.Q. points above his previous version of sidekick from the Wings TV show. Both are great in their respective roles, neither quite smart enough to figure out how their behavior causes the problems in their lives.
The plot's resolution is suitably understated as befits the general tone of aimlessness and misdirection. While some episodes of the film bear witness to Porky's, others have more than a hint of Lost In Translation. The whole is balanced between ridiculous and pathos.
Probably not a film that will age well, but precocious enough to be rewarding now.
Some related wine notes:
Merlot -- Much fun is made of this grape, which is wrong. The joke in the film is that it is an imposter, a junior grape only ordered by idiots. I'm not going to take time here to explain the relationship between varietals and the New World wine industry, but suffice to say that one of the most renowned and expensive red wines made, French Bordeaux (Pomeral) Chateau Petrus is 95% Merlot. Not sure which West Coast Merlots are worth it, but it is certainly capable of being great, and therefore, good luck to U.S. vintners trying to figure out how/where to make it and to diners trying out a bottle.
Cabernet Franc -- There may be an odd wine joke in the film, perhaps to demonstrate that the main character is more self-delusional than we know. Besides making fun of Merlot, the only other grape singled out for derision is Cabernet Franc. The odd joke is that our anti-hero is hording a great vintage for tasting at some special moment, a '61 Cheval Blanc. That Bordeaux (St. Emilion) Chateau makes wines mostly from Cabernet Franc (60-70%) topped up by, yes, Merlot.