A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Changing Lanes

Date Viewed: Theatrical release: 2002

Details:

Ben Affleck

Samuel L. Jackson

Sydney Pollack

Amanda Peet

Director: Roger Michell

Score: 1/2

The Review: This starts strangely: two losers, one on a downward spiral (an unlikable high-profile slime-ball lawyer: Affleck), one attempting a rising arc (an insurance salesman and recovering alcoholic: Jackson). Their stories are forced into parallel as they are introduced -- which gets a bit confusing -- until they literally run into each other. From that point on, they become deeply engaged in what might best be called a mutual vendetta.

Personally, I found it difficult to empathize with either of them. It's clear we are not meant to like Affleck's lawyer, but the inducement in favor of Jackson's chaos-addicted average mensch is weak, albeit persistent. However, all expectations and forebodings aside, the narrative arc does finally make sense, with its resolution reasonable and acceptable.

Decent supporting cast, with a short appearance by Peet as the supportive wife, Hurt as Jackson's AA supporting partner, and (a rare appearance by) Pollack as senior law partner and father-in-law.

(13-Oct-02)

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