MovieChat Forums > Sideways (2004) Discussion > Miles and the cash in the Ajax bottle

Miles and the cash in the Ajax bottle


My bf thinks that Miles is ADDING money to his mom's cash roll in the hidden Ajax container in her clothing drawer. Or at least he seems to think it's ambiguous. Not to me: it seems crystal clear that he's TAKING money, and that maybe even the mom keeps it there in order for him to take? To me it just points to Miles' childishness: even at his age he's still not on his feet financially and thinks that it's ok for him to avail himself of his mother's monetary support - and without asking! I don't think he's a bad guy - just way immature.

reply

I thought too he was stealing money from the jar. He was going on a road trip so he needed $$. And his mom offered to help him out!

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

reply

Your bf is right, check better.
Miles CLEARLY puts some grants in. Also some Euros, and I'd swear I saw some Yen, too.

reply

Your bf is right, check better.
Miles CLEARLY puts some grants in. Also some Euros, and I'd swear I saw some Yen, too.


 Best response ever to one of the f v c king stupidest things I have ever heard.


It wasn't me who was murdered, was it?

reply

Pretty obvious he's stealing

reply

Later, his mom asks "Are you OK? Do you need money." And he replies "No, I'm all set."

reply

I replied to another thread on this. Bad Karma stealing, and especially from his mother. Payback came later with his final publisher rejection, and he got the word in a bad, tourist trap, low end winery.

reply

Blatantly obvious he's stealing the money. You need a smarter boyfriend.

reply

I am watching this right now for the first time in ages, but several times overall. Not once did it ever seem to be doubtful if he was taking or giving. Looked to me like he took.

I wish I had read this thread earlier and I would have paid closer attention.

That said, this was based upon a book. Is such a scene in the book? If so, the answer is clearly there.

reply

In the commentary Giamatti says he's stealing it but that his mom knows he takes money out.

reply

The book makes it clear that Miles was stealing the money (taking an "advance on his inheritance" I believe is how he justified it). In the movie, it also appears he is taking money. I doubt the screenwriter would have changed this element of the book, given that it reveals an important aspect of Miles' personality.

reply

Giamatti says he's stealing the money in an interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itn2ip52a5k

reply