A nerdy oenophile (Paul Giamatti) and his feckless actor pal (Thomas Haden Church) take a leisurely drive through California's wine country on the weekend before the latter's wedding. Along the way, they encounter life, principally in the form of two wise, sexy women (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh), and emerge from their excellent adventure in a state something like adulthood. Director Alexander Payne's movie is a very small pleasure, but an authentic one. This may be the year's most easily-lovable movie.
Come fly with us, and Leo, through the best (and worst) of 2004. Tops in the cinema this year include Scorsese's Howard Hughes biopic The Aviator. Elsewhere, Deadwood was good TV, and a Strange tale fascinated readers.