A matinee idol? Me?

As the wine-obsessed, emotionally repressed Miles in “Sideways,” Paul Giamatti has proved that Woody Allen is not the only actor who can take a schlumpy depressive and turn him into a leading man.

Given the critical acclaim his performance has been receiving this awards season, the 37-year-old actor’s Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a musical or comedy was not a big surprise.

Except to him.

“I’m not surprised that the movie got nominations, “ he said, “

Giamatti spent most of Monday shooting in a swamp in central Florida for “The Hawk Is Dying.” People called to congratulate him, but he was too busy to call anyone back. “I’m very happy,” he said, “but I’m also very wet.”

Has he struck a blow for character actors everywhere? “I hope so. I hope I strike a blow for chubby bald men everywhere. I hope they rise like an army.”