Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Emersed in their frustrations, Jackson and Affleck come to grips with their own harsh realities.

Affleck, Jackson cross paths in 'Changing Lanes'
by Tia Woods
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

What leads a person to snap behind the wheel of a vehicle and explode into "road rage?" Paramount Pictures' "Changing Lanes" is crashing into box offices, making individuals think about their actions.

One wrong turn deserves another, begins the theme of the movie when a lawyer Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck) and insurance salesman, Doyle Gipson (Samuel L. Jackson) are involved in a fender-bender on one of New York City's main expressways.

Both men are in a hurry to make scheduled court appearances.

Banek's career is riding on a court hearing in which he must present documentation to prove that his law firm has received control of a foundation upon the death of a wealthy, elderly male client. The client's daughter is suing the law firm claiming that the documents were fraudulent.

Gipson is a recovering alcoholic, trying to turn his life around by gaining custody of his two sons. The court appearance determines his fate.

Banek attempts to settle the fender-bender by offering Gipson a blank check for any damages caused by the accident because he believes that having enough money is the solution to everything. He is floored that Gipson will not accept the check.

Gipson refuses the blank check because he wants Banek to do the "right" thing. Flustered, Banek drops an important legal document while exchanging words with Gipson. He panics and leaves the scene of the accident with Gipson holding the blank check and the document Banek dropped on the expressway.

Furious that he is left in the wet and cold, Gipson is stranded on the FDR with a flat tire and no mode of transportation. He arrives to court 20 minutes late to find he has lost the custody hearing. The judge has no sympathy for a man who could not show enough responsibility to arrive at court on time.

Meanwhile, Banek arrives at court and realizes that he has dropped the document he needs to have his case dismissed.

Now the stage is set, to show how far these men will go to get what they want. Director Roger Mitchell has not created an ordinary vengeful film in which the plot involves settling scores.

Mitchell wants the movie audience to relate to the experiences between Banek and Gipson as they see both characters hit rock bottom. He wants the audience to wonder what Banek and Gipson will do next, how they will overcome these obstacles, and whether they will learn from their mistakes. Although Mitchell's directing is well done, it is not of the same caliber as in his directing of "Notting Hill" and "Persuasion."

Affleck and Jackson share a long list of previous work based on similar characters.

Affleck has starred in better roles that tested his acting capabilities. But, even though his performance is mediocre in "Changing Lanes," it does not detract from his sex appeal. His glowing smile is the same in this movie as in previous works, such as "Pearl Harbor" and "Good Will Hunting."

"Changing Lanes" closely resembles Affleck's acting style based on the character he played in "Bounce." In "Bounce" his character also struggles with ethical and moral choices.

On the other hand, Jackson's role in this movie resembles his previous role in "A Time To Kill" and "The Negotiator." Both movies posed ethical dilemmas in which Jackson's character fights for the right choices.

"Changing Lanes " is rated R for language. Although this film is not "hanging on the edge of your seat" suspenseful, it is entertaining. Is this movie entertaining enough to purchase a ticket at the theater or wait for the video release? My vote is to wait for the video.