pinot
i finally saw the movie sideways on saturday night. i'll avoid going into great detail and just say. there were parts i appreciated. and there were parts that i didn't appreciate. but there was one particular scene that i think is worth noting here.
about halfway through the film two of the main characters, miles (paul giamatti) and maya (virginia madsen), sit on a porch and discuss why they love wine. both of their monologues on the subject were beautifully written and expertly performed.
listening to people articulate their passions like this is intoxicating. at first glance, one might wonder why a woman like maya would be attracted to a man like miles. this is why.
"it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. right? it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. it's not a survivor like cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and thrive even when it's neglected. no, pinot needs constant care and attention. you know? and, in fact, it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. and only the most patient and nurturing growers can do it, really. only somebody who really takes the time to understand pinot's potential can coax it into its fullest expression. then, i mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet."
i don't care much for wine and i certainly don't know anything about it, but after listening to miles express his admiration for pinot, i had this strange desire to sell all of my possessions and move to a vineyard in northern california. the truth is, it didn't really matter what he was talking about. these two characters could have had the same kind of conversation about almost anything: art, music, film, sports... it's not the subject, but the passion for it that infects and then becomes contagious.
maya follows the above quote with an equally beautiful elucidation of the life of a bottle of wine. how it grows and gains complexity and eventually reaches its peak before it begins its inevitable decline. she pauses briefly as miles contemplates this and then utters perhaps the most poignant and earnest statement in the entire film.
"and it tastes so f***ing good."
i think it's important for people to be able to explain and defend the things they choose to put their time and energy into. but even the most passionate expositions will almost always boil down to one undeniable declaration: it's just... good.
about halfway through the film two of the main characters, miles (paul giamatti) and maya (virginia madsen), sit on a porch and discuss why they love wine. both of their monologues on the subject were beautifully written and expertly performed.
listening to people articulate their passions like this is intoxicating. at first glance, one might wonder why a woman like maya would be attracted to a man like miles. this is why.
"it's a hard grape to grow, as you know. right? it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. it's not a survivor like cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and thrive even when it's neglected. no, pinot needs constant care and attention. you know? and, in fact, it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. and only the most patient and nurturing growers can do it, really. only somebody who really takes the time to understand pinot's potential can coax it into its fullest expression. then, i mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet."
i don't care much for wine and i certainly don't know anything about it, but after listening to miles express his admiration for pinot, i had this strange desire to sell all of my possessions and move to a vineyard in northern california. the truth is, it didn't really matter what he was talking about. these two characters could have had the same kind of conversation about almost anything: art, music, film, sports... it's not the subject, but the passion for it that infects and then becomes contagious.
maya follows the above quote with an equally beautiful elucidation of the life of a bottle of wine. how it grows and gains complexity and eventually reaches its peak before it begins its inevitable decline. she pauses briefly as miles contemplates this and then utters perhaps the most poignant and earnest statement in the entire film.
"and it tastes so f***ing good."
i think it's important for people to be able to explain and defend the things they choose to put their time and energy into. but even the most passionate expositions will almost always boil down to one undeniable declaration: it's just... good.
posted by sara at 10:17 AM
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