MovieChat Forums > Sideways (2004) Discussion > Why did Miles lie to Jack?

Why did Miles lie to Jack?

posted 11 years ago by lanis_cupus
23 replies | jump to latest

I really thought I had these characters nailed down by the midway point of the film. Jack is obviously guided only by his vices and weaknesses, but Miles seemed like more of a stand-up friend. Then he suddenly rolls out a huge lie by denying that he spilled the beans about the wedding. I know Miles is pathetic and spineless in other ways, but that lie just felt out of character to me. It's not like he told Maya intentionally. And if there's one thing Jack seems pretty good at it's forgiving his best friend.

Anyone have any insight/opinions on the matter?

That's the most you'll ever get out of me Wordman. Ever. -Eddie Wilson

[–] kupka-mike 11 years ago

Actually, I am surprised as well. Miles didn't really care for what Jack was doing and he wasn't shy about letting him know.

[–] z_thomas 11 years ago

Totally believable. Miles had told white lies up till that point from the very first moments when he lied to Jack about why he is late to meet him.

[–] lanis_cupus 11 years ago

Uh, I think this one's a little bigger than a white lie. Jack even brings it up a 2nd time and Miles clings to his fib. And if you think about it, Miles's guilt is probably what causes him to allow Jack to wreck the car.

I'm starting to think these characters were made to be a little too pathetic.

That's the most you'll ever get out of me Wordman. Ever. -Eddie Wilson

[–] z_thomas 10 years ago

It's not a massive lie. It's totally believable that in that moment he doesn't want to to spill the beans and deal with all the crap that would ensue.

And sometimes people in real life are pathetic.

[–] lanis_cupus 10 years ago

It's not a massive lie. It's totally believable that in that moment he doesn't want to to spill the beans and deal with all the crap that would ensue.

True. I guess I just expected him to come clean at some point. That would have been more consistent with his character, or what I thought was his character.

Then again, the whole movie is about disillusionment.

That's the most you'll ever get out of me Wordman. Ever. -Eddie Wilson

[–] randyhndrsn 10 years ago

Probably to avoid all the complaining Jack would have done, he didn't wanna deal with more of Jack's constant guilt tripping and he probably thought Jack didn't deserve to know anyway.

The characters are as complex as people are in real life, sometimes people lie just because they want to avoid something, even if it's a serious lie.

You never know what the characters are gonna do or how scenes will play out, that's the real brilliance of Sideways and how it sneaks up on you.

[–] MrBlondee 10 years ago

If he said he did, Miles might've lost Jack as his friend; even better the only person he has. He knew he was going to loose Maya and Stephanie over it.

[–] lanis_cupus 10 years ago

First and foremost, keep in mind that Jack needs Miles as much as Miles needs Jack. It's an ugly sort of symbiosis, but still a symbiosis.

Jack might have disowned him for a while but he would have gotten over it when he realized that Stephanie was just a sidebar fantasy in his life.

Also, Jack seems pretty "easy come, easy go" which might be his most redeeming quality.

And from my personal awareness: The great thing about people who aren't very deep is that they don't tend to hold grudges that long.

That's the most you'll ever get out of me Wordman. Ever. -Eddie Wilson

[–] kentor404 9 years ago

He was also dishonest about being a published author and willing to go along with other lies in the movie, so it wasn't completely out of character. Like so many people, Jack and Miles were both willing to be less than honest for self-serving reasons.

[–] lanis_cupus 9 years ago

Right, but Jack was his best bud...I can't accept that.

Verdict: There's no honor among insecure males.

[–] daughterofolaf 9 years ago

I think he simply didn't want to deal with the aftermath that would certainly follow and if you think about it, what difference would it ultimately make how Stephanie found out? There would be nothing to gain by admitting it to Jack. Jack would obviously have been angry over it although his anger would be totally misplaced as the entire situation was his own doing. It would just be one more thing to have to contend with after such a stressful trip.

"Why couldn't the monkey arrange this from INSIDE the garbage can?"

[–] lanis_cupus 9 years ago

Wow, you almost seem like you're defending Miles.

Let me put it this way. Throughout most of the film I felt that Jack and Miles--pathetic as they are--had a strong and admirable friendship. After Miles' bald-faced lie, I felt that their entire friendship had been a hoax.

[–] daughterofolaf 9 years ago

I don't know that I am defending him, I was just answering the question of possible reasons as to why he lied.

I personally don't think that this one lie rendered their 20+ year friendship a hoax. Sure, lying is generally bad, but Miles didn't MEAN to do it, Jack was the dumbass that put him in the situation in the first place (among many other situations he put him in throughout the film) and it has been established that Jack is not the most rational person and Miles just couldn't deal with anymore issues.

At any rate, Jack STILL felt Miles was ultimately to blame for the reveal (remember, Miles said that the dude at the Hitching Post probably told her because Jack and Miles mentioned it to him the first night out there and Jack screams "Oh, did 'WE' mention it? YOU mentioned it, a******!") so it really doesn't seem like there would have been a largely different outcome regardless.

I am not really trying to defend or blame, I am just answering the question of why he lied.

"Why couldn't the monkey arrange this from INSIDE the garbage can?"

[–] lanis_cupus 9 years ago

I guess I failed to mention that it wrecked the whole movie for me.

Anyway, thanks for your input.

Is this to be an empathy test?

[–] daughterofolaf 9 years ago

Okay. Sorry that one thing ruined the movie. That's too bad. :(

"Why couldn't the monkey arrange this from INSIDE the garbage can?"

[–] resmat-1 9 years ago

Miles just wanted to avoid conflict, which is something he does repeatedly throughout the film.

[–] tpcorless 8 years ago

I think Jack knew it was Miles especially when he says "it seems kind of fishy" after Miles reaffirms it wasn't him.

[–] ecarle (14979) 4 years ago

Just the way Jack says "it seems kind of fishy" is meaningful...and hilarious.

I think Miles' holding back on telling the truth about this one is that it led to some pretty bad things for...Jack:

A very painful beating to his face, and particularly his NOSE, which, Jack notes, could affect his voice work in commercials and hence his ability to earn a living.

A confrontation with Stephanie that Jack otherwise planned to avoid, somehow -- maybe by breaking up with her from miles away. Or maybe Jack hoped to keep Stephanie "in the dark" for future "visits for sex." Or maybe Jack even figured that if his marriage didn't work out, Stephanie was a valid option to go another way. That's all over now.

Jack's face is now disfigured for his wedding day -- and all the photos to be taken on that day. And he has to "explain" this to his bride-to-be. (Hence, the car.)

As noted above by other posters, Miles probably also feared the loss of Jack as even the tenuous friend that he was. Their friendship goes back to college.

And...Jack's a pretty big guy. Maybe Miles has memories of "gettin' a beatin" from Jack in previous years over some argument.