Changing Lanes (2002)

Just what I expected

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Gavin Baneck (Ben Affleck) is a lawyer who is on his way to an important court hearing when he is involved in a minor fender-bender with Doyle Gipson (Samuel L Jackson) an alcoholic businessman whom is also on his way to court for a custody hearing between his wife and kids. Baneck is so pre-occupied with getting to court on time that he is only interested in paying Gipson off rather than doing the right thing which annoys Gipson. This seemingly minor fender-bender sets off a chain of events which proves to be a fairly life-changing day for both men....The interesting thing about Changing Lanes is that I can see it as being a film that will easily divide the masses; on the one hand some may see it as a ridiculous, far-fetched and increasingly improbable affair that lacks any sort of logic and on the other hand others may view it as being an alarmingly accurate social commentary on how seemingly rational people will resort to increasingly desperate and unreasonable measures in order to get one up on their rival. Naturally, I can see arguments for both points of view and will attempt to give a balanced review...Despite what people may think I for one can totally believe in the foundation of this story; two people, both frustrated and perhaps not paying attention collide on the freeway. The lawyer is rich and is so wrapped up in his own affairs that he attempts to buy the poorer man off. The poor man, despite his misgivings has some moral fibre and wants things done right, but the hot-shot lawyer is in too much of a hurry and disappears leaving the poor man with no car and a massive sense of frustration. This side of it I get and I can fully believe that this type of thing is believable which makes the foundation of the film work, but there are other events in this film that don't make much sense, are hard to believe or are just plain contrived....Baneck drops a load of paperwork on the floor in front of Gipson and Gipson happens to pick up the most important document out of everything that Baneck had in his possession. Possible? Maybe. Contrived? Certainly. Baneck's secretary recommends that Baneck gets in touch with a guy who can fix everything and solve Baneck's problems (which results in poor Gipson becoming bankrupt). This guy that Baneck's secretary knows just uses a computer to empty his bank account in order to declare Gipson bankrupt, but there is no indication as to who he is or how he achieves this???? He's just some guy with a PC who presses a couple of buttons and hey voila!!! Who is he working for and how has this skill-set been acquired?? On a slightly lesser note, I'm also puzzled as to why on a busy American Highway that not one person would pull over after an accident as an independent witness??? This is a lesser point and I realise it would kill the narrative, but in the real world I don't believe that none of the following drivers would have stopped. I also wasn't entirely impressed with Samuel L Jackson's character; he's an alcoholic and a f***up, but there's little explanation or insight into his character which is a shame as we're never given much of an understanding of him.Despite some of the ridiculous contrivances mentioned above where the film does come good is in its representation of the two main characters; both men (in their own ways) are fairly self-obsessed individuals who fail to look at the bigger picture and predictably this comes to the fore in the closing stages creating a rather safe and predictable end.I've given this film quite a lot of stick, but to be fair I did quite enjoy the film. The interesting thing with this film is that both men are rational at the start and I don't believe that the two men were bad in any way shape or form. I personally just think that these men both collided (I think metaphorically as well) and something as trivial as being late for court appointments and missing paperwork can cause irrational and unexplainable thought processes.Overall, it's a decent enough social commentary/character study, but with some rough edges.

Changing Lanes is a good movie with a well developed plot and a great cast. It is certainly an enjoyable thriller, as we follow two men, Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson, whose lives are turned upside down after a car crash. Neither character is portrayed as an antagonist or protagonist, we see the good and bad qualities of both of them, which makes for an interesting way of telling a story, as we support both but also see how they are both flawed. However, it never really surprised me, any twist and turn throughout can be predicted from a mile away. There's no big moment that will make you jump off of your seat. As well as that, it pacing could have been much quicker. There are far too many slow moments with heavy dialogue, it needed more car chase's and suspenseful parts, it never truly delivers on its potential.Though it may suffer from predictability, Changing Lanes is still an enjoyable ride that I would recommend to anyone looking for a good drama or thriller, just do not go out of your way to see it. A lawyer and a businessman's lives are turned upside down after a road incident. Best Performance: Samuel L. Jackson / Worst Performance: Amanda Peet

Here's a totally offbeat film, about as non-mainstream as you could expect despite the presence of two A-listers in the dual leading roles. It's a character study of motivation and the forces which drive sane people to commit insane and unpleasant acts. It helps greatly that the leads are played with such skill and charisma as actors Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Affleck can muster. Jackson is as intense as ever, but also unusually heart-warming in the emotional moments; Affleck puts in his best performance to date here as the vain but weak young lawyer, and the result is highly effective. The scenes in which the leads share screen time are very effective.The story is slow-paced but this works in the film's favour, building up a realistic picture of life in New York and carefully developing the characters along the way. There are many twists and surprises in the cat-and-mouse game played out between the two men, and it's never quite possible to predict the outcome for this is an edgy, sometimes unsettling movie. In the end things do get a bit preachy and syrupy, but this doesn't matter, because the film's message is a strong one and the dialogue is not spoon-fed to the audience, a failing of so many modern films. Instead this is a film that doesn't underestimate the viewer, that is worth a look thanks to being so unconventional and intelligently-written and made.

Aside from the professional critics, just about everyone else agrees that Changing Lanes (2002) is a flawed film. Exactly where it goes wrong, however, differs from viewer to viewer. I would nominate the confessional scene. Obviously designed to change the hero's heart, it rings false to me and seems out of character. The fact that there's no build-up or previous reference to religion, doesn't help either. Yes, I realize that such a scene is necessary, but usually it's the heroine or the best friend who brings a protagonist to his or her senses. To introduce a priest from left field goes right against the grain – particularly as we've had no inkling at all of religion or religious beliefs up to this point. So, for me, the movie just fell apart. A pity! They spent a lot of money on it, and Sydney Pollack gives a great performance, easily outshining the nominal stars, Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson. An excellent Paramount DVD.