A.O. Scott, my favorite NYT film critic even before Elvis Mitchell was given the boot, writes an interesting analysis of the criticial praise for "Sideways." Gave me pause, really, when it seems that he may have even pegged me
For the most part, the groups that did not choose "Sideways" - the Village Voice Poll, for example, and the Washington film critics - selected "Before Sunset" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," both variations on the theme of a moody, cerebral fellow graced by the kind of romantic love he probably doesn't believe in and can hardly be said to deserve. Film critics, for our part, clearly have plenty of self-love to go around.Posted by mikewolf at January 03, 2005 07:50 PM
"a moody, cerebral fellow graced by the kind of romantic love he probably doesn't believe in and can hardly be said to deserve."
Ya kook...you're rarely ever moody. And you SO deserve love. But not just ordinary love...it has to be the unconditional, undying, all encompassing kind of love. And that kind of love, my friend, doesn't stumble into your life on a daily basis. And, I truly believe, when you find her...she'll have been worth the wait.
Lovin' you.
Posted by: Cassie on January 4, 2005 10:59 AMThe critical praise for this movie baffles me, because it's pretty bad from any critical perspective:
-a plot swiped from "Swingers"
-relationships that make no sense (why are the two main characters friends? why is Virginia Madsen interested in Paul Giamatti?)
-ridiculous plot points (who puts wedding rings in their wallet?)
-humorous scenes that aren't humorous or original (hey -- those people are fat and naked! I just hit a golfball at a blowhard!)
Even the movie's best scene (the pinot scene) is about as subtle as a polo mallet.
Posted by: Joel S. on January 4, 2005 11:59 AM