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Welcome to life in LA (post 9/11) What are ordinary people in the San-San conurbation really like? Well take a look at Sideways and you get a snapshot. American TV watchers will recognise the actors, but to most of us they are 'unknowns' which lends the characters they play almost documentary-like credibility. It's an hilarious romp. We follow two buddies, one a seemingly intellectual good guy, who actually is a complicated, near alcoholic, self centred, unscrupulous (he steals money from his own mother !)nerd. The other, a woman-chasing ego-maniac out-of-work actor. What a combination !!! The calamitous opening scenes give us the plot,,two guys going on a stag weekend to the wine growing area of Southern California. The film is beautifully shot and is evocative of a long gone image of the 'California Dreamin' generation. We see what they have become. Instead of 'peace and love' we have 'cheat and shove'. The romp takes us through a delicious farce of infidelity, wine soaked sentimentalism and immorality. We are given a broad canvass and it captures a great deal, this film is a feast of images, ideas and stimulating suggestions. Ultimately, this sun-soaked portrayal of Californian life leaves us feeling fascinated by lives that are not ours, but what we may have been or what may yet happen should we follow 'the dream' . It is brilliant!