This was an okay movie: what it did, it did well. But it wasn't anything new. Two young guys go out on the town before a wedding and overdo it has become two middle-aged guys go out on the Wine Country for a week before a wedding and overdo it. The movie is about obsessions and addictions, written for the POV of the middle-aged. Instead of being a techie whiz, the guy's a wine whiz. It's not good for kids because it's just too jaded and harsh (and it's too formulaic to be worth that).
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Sideways
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Wonderful, but not for anyone under 17.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Sideways
Parents need to know that this movie is NOT for kids. It's filled with very mature material, including extremely explicit sexual references and situations (with nudity) and some violence. Characters drink (there is a distinction made between the appreciation of wine as a work of art and drinking to numb feelings or get drunk) and use very strong language.
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what mattered most to Miles and Jack. Despite their differences, what kept them together as friends? What does Stephanie see in Jack? What does Maya see in Miles?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
Hollywood does like stories about self-destructive actors and writers
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Very good!eenjoyable to watch.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
Not a barrel of laughs.
My husband and I saw this film. From watching the previews and ads on TV, we thought it was going to be more of a slapstick type comedy, so we were surprised that it was really more of a drama or situational type comedy. We are both over 40 and could sort of relate to the characters....younger people might not appreciate the characters' motivations. We were not offended by the language or nudity, but some people might be. This is definitely not a movie for children or teenagers.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
A smart, touching, funny movie, somewhat overpraised...
Sideways is a lovely film with terrific performances by Paul Giamatti (who should have been Oscar nominated) and the other three members of the ensemble. I do think the movie was overly praised by the crtitics. It's an excellent, but not great, film.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
I Love Sideways
Sideways is this decade's Forrest Gump or Dirty Dancing. The movie has received many nominations and awards (Although I don't agree with the Academy Awards committee snubbing Paul Giamatti. NOT FAIR!). A lot of people think that wine is a big, deep part of this movie, but I see it as more or less a prop that brings the characters and relationships of the movie together. I was really surprised that this movie did not receive an NC-17 rating because they show a male full frontal and usually full frontal MALE nudity qualifies as an NC-17 for any film, but obviously the MPAA decided that they were too in love with the movie and opted for an R rating. I wouldn't recommend this film to families who are into Fundamental Christianity or families who have issues with moral values. I was 19 when I first saw this movie and I saw it again after I turned 20 in January. I loved the film, but then again, I'm a huge fan of Thomas Haden Church and I wouldn't have seen it if Thomas weren't in it!
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
kind of depressing
I took my 16 year old to see this movie. What a mistake! She hated it and all the people in it. At her age, she simply doesn't have the life experience to understand the angst 40 year old people can have when they realize their life is not going the way they had planned. She was disdainful, not sympathetic, towards the characters. That's why this movie should only be seen by people over age 25--the themes are simply too adult for younger groups.
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