Sideways: The Shooting Script

The newest screenplay from the Oscar(R)-nominated writers of Election and About Schmidt, Sideways is the tale of two men's adventure in California wine country.

Based on Rex Pickett's acclaimed first novel, Sideways tells the story of Miles (Paul Giamatti), a failed novelist, and his soon-to-be-married friend Jack (Thomas Haden Church), a washed-up actor.To salute the remains of their youth, the two men take one last road trip in the week before Jack's wedding.A serious wine enthusiast, Miles is determined to educate his friend on the region's beloved Pinot Noir wines before the week is out.

Jack indulges his best friend's passion for the grape but is mainly interested in living his last week of bachelorhood to the hilt.Trouble ensues with wine and women (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh), and the duo comes to some profound realizations as they come to terms with maturity.

Alexander Payne directed the critically acclaimed films About Schmidt, Election, and Citizen Ruth. He and Jim Taylor won a Golden Globe for their screenplay About Schmidt and received an Oscar nomination for their screenplay Election.