(rated R) Miles (Paul Giamatti) is a failed writer who decides to explore his life and relationship failures with his best friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church) by taking a cruise to wine country. But if you think this is a just some buddy/road movie, you’re in for a surprise. Like the ’61 Cheval Blanc that Miles savors in the film, the two lead characters create a perfect balance of acidity and fruit, with Miles providing the acid outlook on a life that is an endless chain of disappointments, and Jack proving such a fruitcake, that the outcomes is both smart and hilariously unpredictable. Miles always sees the world like a wine glass that’s empty. Jack sees the world as the wine glass overflowing, to the point of making a mess from the spill, as is the case when the men meet Stephanie (Sandra Oh) a wine consultant, and her friend Maya (Virginia Madsen) a small town waitress. Paul Giamatti plays his role with perfection and sensitivity, behaving much like the Pinot noir grape that requires special attention to grow, and is Miles favorite wine. And whoever dug up and cast Thomas Haden Church (who last appeared as the goofy hangar repairman in “Wings”) certainly should be commended.
