Changing Lanes Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)April 29th, 2002
CHANGING LANES (2002) / ** 1/2
Directed by Roger Michell. Screenplay by Chap Taylor and Michael Tolkin, from a story by Taylor. Starring Ben Affleck, Samuel L Jackson, Kim Staunton. Running time: 100 minutes. Rated AA for offensive language. Reviewed on April 28th, 2002.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Two cars collide. Driving one is corporate attorney Gavin Banek (Affleck), on his way to court to deliver important documents. The other belongs to Doyle Gipson (Jackson), newly divorced and en route to a custody hearing. In a rush, Banek abandons Gipson by the roadside. Gipson is late for court, and loses his appeal. However, Gipson has inadvertently come into possession of a file essential to Banek's case.
Review: "Changing Lanes" should have been a short story. Or, if we must stick to the cinema, it should have been part of a film anthology (not that Hollywood makes them, of course). As the simple yet deep story of two men whose lives intersect, "Changing Lanes" is excellent. It does not take easy ways out, and offers fascinating insight into its characters. But it's also a film that seems to want to end after an hour, and yet prolongs itself for another forty minutes. The number of false endings is almost comical. Every time the fade to black appears imminent, something else happens, and it keeps going. And sadly, the latter scenes are generally to the story's detriment, moving it closer to a warm-and-fuzzy conclusion at odds with the picture's overall tone. For example, one excellent scene sees Jackson and his wife (Staunton) seemingly resolve their situation. It's not a happy ending, but it's a good one. Then something else happens, and suddenly the whole subplot is stirred up again. If nothing else, though, "Changing Lanes" boasts some splendid acting, especially from Affleck and Jackson, who craft two truly genuine characters. Neither one is a laudable figure: both are flawed, both do things wrong. And yet, it's okay -- our enthusiasm for the movie isn't tempered. In an industry at times obsessed with the concept of the hero, that's a rare accomplishment.
Copyright © 2002 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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