Between them, Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Affleck have made a lot of forgettable movies in the last few years. This week, \Changing Lanes"" has arrived to offer the movie-going public a collaboration between the two that ranks among the best work either has ever done.
The story follows Doyle Gibson (Jackson), a workingman trying to patch things up with his estranged wife and children, and Gavin Banek (Affleck), a young and successful, but unethical and spiritually bankrupt lawyer. Their paths cross when Banek cuts off Gibson's car on the highway while both are driving to court; Banek to litigate, and Gibson to fight for custody of his children. Banek refuses to give Gibson his insurance information or a ride, causing him to miss his hearing and lose custody of his children.
At the same time, Banek accidentally leaves an important file with Gibson, and when he tries to get it back, he triggers a game of cat and mouse with Gibson in which they keep upping the ante, trying to exact revenge on one another. In the process, each must face down his own demons; for Banek, the moral and ethical sewer into which his career has led him, and for Gibson, the rage and alcoholism of his past.
In spite of a premise that could have provided a thoroughly run-of-the-mill movie, ""Changing Lanes"" proves to be anything but that. Jackson and especially Affleck offer very strong performances that show great range in developing interesting, multi-dimensional characters. Jackson and Affleck's passionate and stirring performances are also complemented by strong supporting performances, among which William Hurt's performance as Jackson's Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor is particularly noteworthy.
Director Roger Michell (""Notting Hill"") also deserves a great deal of credit. He sets the frenzied tone for the movie from the get-go, with his use of choppy camerawork and hectic techno backdrops. The way the movie constantly cuts between shots of Jackson and Affleck is wonderfully effective in moving the action along and capturing the audience.
This is not to say that the movie is perfect. There are a few slow moments in spite of the movie's tone. Once or twice, the writing does lapse, which is especially noticeable when Amanda Peet, playing Affleck's wife, seems uncomfortable onscreen because of the awkwardly written lines she is given. The movie also does get a bit preachy in assertion of its values and its shameless defamation of the legal profession, but it plays OK in the context of Affleck's truly convincing soul-searching.
In the end, what is left is an entertaining and thoughtful movie that is sure to keep the audience's attention from start to finish. ""Changing Lanes"" manages to reach the full potential of a strong cast and will surely please audiences with a fine evening of entertainment.
