MovieChat Forums > Sideways (2004) Discussion > Why are Miles and Jack even friends?

Why are Miles and Jack even friends?

posted 11 years ago by pbaran
32 replies | jump to latest

I am curious as to why Miles and Jack would have remained close friends since leaving college. They are completely different characters that don't really understand each other and have nothing in common. Their massively different goals in life mean that for most of their trip they are working against each other's aims. Is there some sort of playful dynamic that these particular sorts of opposite characters have that, in real life, often works? Or is it simply a case of co-dependence?

[–] UFO_Cryptkeeper 11 years ago

They were friends during college and their early adult years. Even though they went on different paths they're still friends.

[–] tiger01 11 years ago

I thought it was a rather realistic commentary on post-adolescent friendships. Not everybody has an easy time making close friends after high school and college and Miles definitely seems like he would fall into this category (hey, I can relate myself). It is always good to have those friends with whom you shared some stretch of your life and knew you "way back when" even if you are totally different people now. It is kind of a similar thing to the character of Begbie in the film "Trainspotting" to me. I think this is a really interesting phenomenon personally.

I do agree with your co-dependence take on the situation as well though. Jack basically "spices up" Miles' mundane life and makes things interesting despite the problems Jack ultimately creates; Miles, on the other hand, probably is there to make Jack feel better about his own failed circumstances but also knows him well-enough to call him on his bulls*it (even if he eventually gets railroaded in the end). My take on it anyway.

[–] sockscats 11 years ago

They were both disturbed and flawed men who need each other. Good thread!

I also think that a friendship with somebody before they became famous really matters. Jack was friends with Miles before he became a famous actor so he knows Miles isn't just hanging on for that reason.

[–] SampanMassacre 11 years ago

Opposites attract. And in every movie or book there's always the wild guy and the mellow guy who are friends. One is the base and one is the spark that causes the base to progress and the spark gets burned and the base has to clean up the mess and yet the base progresses from the spark sparking his base. Or something.

Vince V. and Jon F. played the same characters almost in SWINGERS.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] liscarkat (16515) 4 years ago

"before he became a famous actor"

Jack had a couple of supporting roles on tv shows years earlier, and several commercials. He's not exactly "a famous actor".

[–] chas437 11 years ago

Great summation. I think you nailed it.

"For dark is the suede that mows like a harvest"

[–] Sparky-string 11 years ago

I am not dissimilar to Miles in many ways and I have a friend that seriously reminds me of Jack- we both admire what the other has regarding personality. I know from my life that this situation can work, and it can be as taxing as it seems too.

Also men often find it harder to make friends later in life. It may be easier to hold onto old friends as portrayed in the film. IMO, and I own the book, the movie's telling (college roommates) is more believable according to my experience.

[–] Jelly-4 11 years ago

What everyone else said...

You tend to hold on to the folks who knew you before you had a job and became an adult.

Also, neither had successful marriages and families so they were sort of like family to one another. And we find out that Miles' own family was dysfunctional, so all the more likely that he'd hang onto his college roommate, even if they are so different.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] thezakman182 11 years ago

In Vertical (a novel which is the sequel to Sideways), Miles and Jack stop being friends as soon as Miles quits drinking. Immediately Miles realizes that without booze they had nothing in common.

[–] vladchan 11 years ago

Having someone slovenly like Miles around made Jack look cooler, more handsome and in better shape in comparison. Being around a popular guy like Jack gave Miles some reflected cachet I suppose.

-- Mothershytter... Son of an ass!!

[–] chas437 11 years ago

That's a good observation, and very true in real life.

"For dark is the suede that mows like a harvest"

[–] chas437 11 years ago

Well said. Now that I'm 50, I can see exactly how true this is.

A lot of truth in this film, as in all Alexander Payne films). I'm pretty sure the Thomas Hayden Church character will be completely alone and miserable by his mid-50s. There is really nothing more pathetic than an aging lothario. Payne shows this nicely,

"For dark is the suede that mows like a harvest"

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

with wine there is friendship. it's an old school latin saying. or maybe it's with wine there are wine stains. it's one of those.

Where there's smoke, there's barbecue!

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] FEL123_2000 10 years ago

They compliment eachother. Jack lifts Mile's "downer neg-head" spirits, whilst Miles grounds Jack's obnoxious recklessness.

____________________
"If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything." -George McFly

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]