“Don’t get caught ordering merlot” is one of the many things someone will learn after seeing Alexander Payne’s Sideways.

This comedy-drama follows an unsuccessful novelist and wine snob, Miles (Paul Giamatti) and his roommate from freshman year of college, Jack (Thomas Haden Church).

Miles is divorced, steals from his mom and is so utterly pathetic that it’s tough to even watch him through the whole movie.

Payne has the skill to guide a character who has the ability to portray embarrassment, without vanity or humiliation.

Even when he buys the new issue of Barely Legal and lies on his bed alone or when he opens his most prized bottle of wine and drinks it from a plastic cup while eating a hamburger, he remains nonchalant.

The other lead character, Jack, is a groom-to-be who has a problem remaining faithful to his seemingly perfect fiancCB). Jack is a failed television actor, a has-been who chose a trip to the California vineyards instead of a bachelor party.

The two guys have a relationship where they need one another to be successful.

Miles lectures Jack on each vintage and Jack lectures Miles on why he needs to get laid.

One of the most interesting aspects of this movie that will appeal to college students is the “drunk dial.”

This is something most all college students can relate to, and something that Miles does in this movie.

One of the most memorable lines from this movie comes from Jack: “Did you drink and dial?”

Sideways is one of the funniest comedies of the year, and if you can get over the full frontal male nudity of a tow truck driver weighing in at a little under a kilo, I would highly recommend seeing this movie.