Several years ago I took great interest in the movie “Sideways” being released as it was filmed in the Santa Ynez Valley – Solvang and Buellton and Los Olivos, California to be specific. We lived in Solvang from 1995 – 1997. I was a pastor at the Lutheran Church there (Bethania) and Margy was consecrated in that church as the first deacon on the newly authorized roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Sideways is an interesting story and is set in the beautiful wine country surrounding Solvang. If you have not seen it, the movie follows two men in their forties, Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti), a depressed teacher and unsuccessful writer, and Jack Cole (Thomas Haden Church), a past-his-prime actor, who take a week-long road trip to Santa Barbara County wine country to celebrate Jack’s upcoming wedding. Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen also star as women they encounter during their trip.
From a theological perspective, Sideways raises a lot of themes for consideration such as the meaning of being engaged to be married, the concepts of sin and free will and how grace operates in the individual lives of the four main characters. Grace is the unmerited favor of God. It cannot be earned through good behavior, and it is often given to those who deserve it least. It would make for an interesting discussion to ask how each of these four main characters experienced grace and from whom it was given.
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