One
bad turn deserves another...
This
is a film about mean & unintelligent people
doing ridiculously implausible things in
response to genuine accidents. The script is
clichéd, the camera work is nauseating, the
score is headache inducing, & the plot is pretty
laughable. The only thing the film has going for
it is a group of fine actors (Affleck not
included) making the most of inept material.
Gavin Banek (Affleck) is a high powered wall
street attorney who is in a desperate hurry to
deliver important files to the courthouse. Doyle
Gibson is an alcoholic who is also trying to get
to the courthouse to attend a hearing regarding
his estranged family. His wife wants to move
away with his children and retain full custody.
As both rush to their destinations, their paths
cross on the freeway when their cars collide in
a mild accident. Neither is hurt, but Banek
insists on giving Doyle a blank check rather
than going through correct procedures and
exchanging information. Banek speeds off while
telling Doyle, "Better Luck Next Time Pal."
Unfortunately for Banek, he drops one of those
important files and Doyle picks it up. When
Banek tries to retrieve the vital document,
Doyle, who missed his family's court hearing,
decides to make life very difficult for him. A
battle of wills ensues and for the rest of the
day they go to outlandish lengths to hurt the
other man through whatever means available.
There are quite a few strong performances from
the cast. Most notably from Amanda Peet as
Banek's wife, whose limited screen time was the
highlight of the film. Her acting during her
monologue on the basis of their marriage was
powerful in ways that reminded me of Alec
Baldwin's brief appearance in 1992's Glengarry
Glen Ross. Pollack gives a strong performance as
the ruthless boss. Collette and Baker are as
solid as always. Sam Jackson is always good, but
I have seen him do the angry black man before.
And, last but not least, I am ashamed to admit
that Affleck shows a tiny slice of acting
ability for the first time ever... It's about
time.
There is no one to root for in this film. Both
guys are, quite frankly, horribly mean people
with major problems. Now... I have no need to
root for someone if the film is set up that way.
But 'Changing Lanes' seems to want us to root
for both men at different times in the film.
I think most people who watch this film will
hate both parties. Doyle is an recovering
alcoholic, but we get the impression he will
regress soon enough, who brings nothing but
chaos in to the lives of his wife and children.
He is also extremely unintelligent because there
are many situations he could avoid using very
logical means rather than exercising his anger
by resorting to vicious revenge and blackmail.
Banek is a morally confused lawyer (aren't they
all) who is arrogant and ruthless and will stop
at nothing to get his way. I wouldn't have as
much of a problem with this film if the ending
hadn't rewarded both lead characters with
happiness and resolution. If they had been left
to deal with the problems of their own doing
rather than been dealt a 'Hollywood Ending' the
film may have just been tolerable.
One major problem with this film is the
implausibility of the actions. Virtually no
rational human being would respond to situations
and circumstances the way these freaks do. There
had to be a million other logical ways to
resolves their issues... but then there wouldn't
have been a movie made about it. You see, that
is the problem... this film exists only to serve
the purpose of a ludicrous plot and as such we
viewers cannot buy in to the drama of a real and
tangible story.
Another enormous problem is the filmmakers
choice of camera work. There is a blurred and
wobbly hand held feel to the camera work.
However, that can be effective in films such as
The Blair Witch Project or Rosetta. In 'Changing
Lanes' the technique results in a nauseating and
dizzying feeling that distracts from the
narrative. The score also utilizes certain
sustained notes, the ones that seem to cause
vibrations in the walls and inside your stomach.
Couple the two cinematic choices and you may
find yourself wanting to vomit in your popcorn
bag... if the script hasn't made you do that
already.
You might enjoy it if you liked... "Die Hard 3",
"Boiler Room", & "Crimson Tide", but you don't
much care for plausibility.
Overall, I found this to be a big disappointment
and a waste of two hours.
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
This film is
so damn close to brilliant it's not even funny.
It misses the mark, somewhat, because of the
issues that TC raises. However, I found the
script to be incredibly insightful and
exploratory in looking into the behaviors of the
characters involved. Films like this one are
difficult...there is no clear cut right and
wrong. In many ways, both men get what they
deserve. Yet, this film is brilliant because it
doesn't throw easy, BS answers at the audience
that allow the action to be all tied up by the
film's end. These are deeply flawed characters
who will be deeply flawed for years to come.
Affleck, well, surprisingly enough can act AND
Jackson proves he's not just a one-note actor
(though he's still strongest when pissed off).
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
