Changing Lanes

2002 Drama

Director Roger Michell follows up the hit romantic comedy Notting Hill (1999) with this thought-provoking thriller. Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson star, respectively, as Gavin Banek and Doyle Gibson, two New York men whose lives become accidentally intertwined in a Good Friday fender bender on the FDR Drive. Late for a crucial appointment, hotshot lawyer Gavin tosses Doyle a blank check and leaves the scene, while Doyle, whose car is inoperable, is late for a court-appointed custody hearing. A recovering alcoholic, Doyle's tardiness doesn't sit well with the judge, who - sick of waiting for Gipson - grants custody to Doyle's ex-wife in Doyle's absence. The situation worsens when it becomes evident that Doyle has an equally important file belonging to Gavin, which proves that an elderly man gave Banek's firm power-of-attorney over his foundation. So begins an escalating war of words and deeds between the two men. Soon, egged on by an associate (Toni Collette), Gavin hires a "fixer" (Dylan Baker) to destroy Doyle's credit, forcing Doyle to fire back with some cunning moves of his own. Changing Lanes co-stars William Hurt, Sydney Pollack, and Toni Collette. more..

Director: Roger Michell

Starring: Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, Kim Staunton, Toni Collette,Sydney Pollack

Reviews

  • This is one of the best movies of the year.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • Frustrating yet deeply watchable melodrama that makes you think it's a tougher picture than it is.

    Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • The movie goes for the throat and keeps squeezing.

    - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • Far richer than you'd ever think possible.

    Desson Thomson - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • Teasing drama whose relentless good-deed/bad-deed reversals are just interesting enough to make a sinner like me pray for an even more interesting, less symmetrical, less obviously cross-shaped creation.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Film Poster

    Black Reel Awards (2003)

     
  • Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

    Image Awards (2003)

     
  • Performance in a Theatrical Feature Film

    Prism Awards (2003)

     
  • Film - Choice Actor, Drama/Action Adventure

    Teen Choice Awards (2002)