Hawaii

Sideways

Saidoweizu (Japan-U.S.)

By RICHARD KUIPERS

A 20th Century Fox (in Japan) release of a Fuji Television Network, 20th Century Fox presentation of a Cine Bazar (Japan)/Protean Image Group (U.S.) production. (International sales: Fox Intl., Los Angeles.) Produced by Toru Miyazawa, Kazutoshi Wadakura, Chihiro Kameyama. Executive producer, Alexander Payne. Co-producer Hiroshi Onishi. Directed by Cellin Gluck. Screenplay, Takayuki Uesugi, based on the novel by Rex Pickett and the screenplay by Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor.
 
With: Fumiyo Kohinata, Katsuhisa Namase, Rinko Kikuchi, Kyoka Suzuki, Morgan Snyder, Jean-Christophe Lebert.
(Japanese, English dialogue)
 

This Japanese "Sideways" can't top an unimprovable original, but it has its own palatable blend of comedy and keen observation of human imperfection. The version rings sufficient changes to register as more than a pure copy of Alexander Payne's 2004 hit about middle-aged buddies finally growing up while touring California wine country. Switching locales from the vineyards of Santa Ynez to those of Napa Valley, this directing debut by Nipponese-born American helmer Cellin Gluck should be warmly welcomed by general auds on its Oct. 31 release in Japan, and could uncork in scattered offshore destinations.

The obvious question -- why make a Japanese "Sideways" -- is now partially answered by the phenomenal success of "The Drops of God," a manga about a man's quest for the world's greatest wines. Sales and appreciation of the stuff have soared in Japan since the still-continuing comic's publication in 2005.

With that in mind, it's interesting to note scripter Takayuki Uesugi's alteration to the original's famous "pinot is superior to merlot" judgment. Perhaps as a gesture to merlot growers, whose sales dipped the first time around, it's now a case of "both have merits."

A more readily lovable loser than Paul Giamatti's grouchy-but-grows-on-you Miles, struggling scriptwriter Michio (Fumiyo Kohinata) returns to Los Angeles for the wedding of his old friend, Daisuke (Katsuhisa Namase). Michio soon realizes he now has little in common with Daisuke, who's lived in California since their salad days as exchange students 20-plus years ago.

Michio has been unlucky in love and unsuccessful in his career, whereas cocksure Daisuke runs a successful French-Japanese fusion restaurant and trades shamelessly on his celebrity as the star of "Captain Ninja," a cheesy TV show canceled long ago.

In the week before his nuptials, Daisuke wants to hit Vegas and get laid. Several amusing squabbles later, wine buff Michio convinces him to stick to the original plan of ambling around Napa Valley. Hitting the road in a hot red Mustang, the mismatched duo soon run into Mayuke (Kyoka Suzuki), a fellow student from the glory days who stayed behind to pursue her passion for wine.

With Mayuke's friend, Mina (Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"), falling for Daisuke's gauche charm, unaware that he's engaged, Michio fumbles his way toward expressing the feelings he failed to declare to Mayuke all those years ago. Although not hitting the same heights as Giamatti's hilarious procrastinations in front of Virginia Madsen, the appealing chemistry between Kohinata and Suzuki ensures an enriching time with these wounded souls, who tiptoe around the topic of mutual attraction with some touching wine-is-life metaphors.

Though Namase occasionally overplays the aging stud, Kikuchi is luminous as the free spirit who proves more than capable of taking a tough line when the truth comes out. An a.d. on several big-budgeters, including "Transformers," Gluck shows a good feel for small-scale comic drama. Setting his widescreen camera at a comfortable distance, the helmer gives his quartet room to move and gets convincing perfs from a number of real employees at Napa Valley estates who do more than simply pour wine.

Lensing of lovely locations by Gary Waller won't do any harm to regional tourism. A lively score by Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro stands out in a pro tech package.

For the record, Payne was not directly involved in this production: His exec producer credit is a courtesy.

Camera (color, widescreen), Gary Waller; editor, Jim Munro; music, Jake Shimabukuro; production designer, Richard C. Lowe; costume designer, Mimi Matsumoto; sound (Dolby Digital), Paul Marshall; associate producer, Grant Gilmore; assistant director, John Tyson; casting, Tsuyoshi Sugino, Julia Kim. Reviewed at Hawaii Film Festival (Gala Presentation), Oct. 18, 2009. (Also in Tokyo Film Festival.) Running time: 122 MIN.