Changing Lanes (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
An ambitious attorney (Ben Affleck) & a desperate father (Samuel L. Jackson) clash in 'Changing Lanes', directed by Roger Michell. A rush hour fender bender sets off a chain reaction of misery for these 2 men; as one tries to out-do the other in an 'I'm gonna ruin your life by the end of the day' type of mentality. Ben Affleck is surprisingly effective in this high octane role. Jackson hasn't been this good in years. And though it has weaknesses, this movie is electric!
Gavin Banek (Affleck) is in a rush to make a court appointment to file legal papers in a multi-million dollar case. Doyle Gipson (Jackson) is an alcoholic insurance salesman who is also in a rush for a court appointment involving the custody of his 2 kids. After their fender bender, Gavin strands Doyle; causing him to be 20 min. late to his custody hearing. Not only has he lost custody, but his reputation (in his wife's eyes) is lower than ever. And in a twist of fate, Gavin had accidentally dropped the papers he needed in 'his' court appointment at the scene of the fender bender. The judge gives Gavin until the end of the day to find the necessary papers, or else the case will be dismissed, and his boss' (Sydney Pollack) law firm will likely go up in flames.
A game of cat & mouse commences btwn. both men (knowing that each of them holds the key to the other one's success/demise). But during this 12 hour or so process, both men will start to question their actions. Who are they really? Is it IN them to sabotage the life of another? Will they come to understand what's important in their lives? Is it all about $$? Sex? Power? Can they ethically/morally appease themselves before it's too late?
First & foremost, 'Changing Lanes' is just an extremely watchable film. You'll be engaged for the duration of its 95 min. as it is taut & suspenseful throughout. Another strong suit of the film is that on paper ... it looks to be a very straightforward affair. But when actually played out, everyone's emotions & intentions go far deeper than expected. That's a testament to the script & the performances. Affleck & Jackson portray unlikeable, vengeful characters (apt to rage), but we still feel for them towards the end. And a supporting turn from Toni Collette (as Affleck's mistress) is also quite good.
Thanks to the acting, complex writing & directing, the escalation of the consequences that these characters endure feels viscerally real; very intense. Not only do you watch a fast-paced thriller, but you also get to learn a little something about the corruption in corporate law. Some may find much of the vengeful actions to be too dark for a mainstream film. Those worries are quelled by an (almost too) tidy conclusion. When all is said & done, you'll feel like YOU experienced the worst day of your life; living vicariously through these 2 guilt-laden souls.
Gavin Banek (Affleck) is in a rush to make a court appointment to file legal papers in a multi-million dollar case. Doyle Gipson (Jackson) is an alcoholic insurance salesman who is also in a rush for a court appointment involving the custody of his 2 kids. After their fender bender, Gavin strands Doyle; causing him to be 20 min. late to his custody hearing. Not only has he lost custody, but his reputation (in his wife's eyes) is lower than ever. And in a twist of fate, Gavin had accidentally dropped the papers he needed in 'his' court appointment at the scene of the fender bender. The judge gives Gavin until the end of the day to find the necessary papers, or else the case will be dismissed, and his boss' (Sydney Pollack) law firm will likely go up in flames.
A game of cat & mouse commences btwn. both men (knowing that each of them holds the key to the other one's success/demise). But during this 12 hour or so process, both men will start to question their actions. Who are they really? Is it IN them to sabotage the life of another? Will they come to understand what's important in their lives? Is it all about $$? Sex? Power? Can they ethically/morally appease themselves before it's too late?
First & foremost, 'Changing Lanes' is just an extremely watchable film. You'll be engaged for the duration of its 95 min. as it is taut & suspenseful throughout. Another strong suit of the film is that on paper ... it looks to be a very straightforward affair. But when actually played out, everyone's emotions & intentions go far deeper than expected. That's a testament to the script & the performances. Affleck & Jackson portray unlikeable, vengeful characters (apt to rage), but we still feel for them towards the end. And a supporting turn from Toni Collette (as Affleck's mistress) is also quite good.
Thanks to the acting, complex writing & directing, the escalation of the consequences that these characters endure feels viscerally real; very intense. Not only do you watch a fast-paced thriller, but you also get to learn a little something about the corruption in corporate law. Some may find much of the vengeful actions to be too dark for a mainstream film. Those worries are quelled by an (almost too) tidy conclusion. When all is said & done, you'll feel like YOU experienced the worst day of your life; living vicariously through these 2 guilt-laden souls.