Road rage takes back seat in complex, moral tale 'Changing Lanes'

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

CHANGING LANES (Rated R with profanity) Three-and-a-Half Stars (Good-to-Excellent) A potent, thought-provoking drama about personal responsibility, in the guise of road rage gone bonkers. Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson co-star as adversaries in a fender-bender case that turns ugly. Roger Michell directs, impressively. Paramount, 99 mins.

After all, Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson play two drivers whose fender bender escalates beyond all reason, until each man is on the verge of destroying the other.

But that's easy, movie-talk shorthand for something far more complex — and far more satisfying.

"Changing Lanes" starts out as a story about two guys who want to teach each other a lesson. But it gradually shifts into a tale in which both learn that they must take personal responsibility for their behavior.

That's a daring topic in a society where shallow excuses are common, and mea culpas are rare.

This challenging subject generates riveting drama, thanks to two central characters, superbly played with fascinating flaws and human weaknesses intact.

Affleck is Gavin Banek, a hotshot attorney on the fast track in the prestigious law firm headed by his father-in-law (Sidney Pollack).

Late for an urgent court appearance, Banek is weaving his Mercedes through heavy traffic, when he cuts into a lane and crashes into another car.

That driver is Doyle Gipson (Samuel L. Jackson), a businessman and recovered alcoholic who is also in a hurry. He's due in court where the shared custody of his children from his ex-wife will be decided.

Banek is supposed to file essential papers that'll greatly increase the holdings and wealth of the law firm where he hopes to become a partner.

And Gipson believes joint custody of his children is a key on his road to recovery and stability.

And then ... crash!

Banek's car can still be driven — but Gipson's is disabled. The wealthier Banek tries to give Gipson a blank check, but is in too big a hurry to exchange insurance information or wait for the police. He drives off, even refusing to give the despairing Gipson a ride.

Gipson misses the divorce court hearing, and loses custody of his kids. But Banek also has a problem. In the rush at the accident scene, he leaves behind the essential file that he needs at his own important court appearance. And Gipson has picked it up.

The stage is set for an ever-escalating battle of ill will. Gipson holds Banek's folder as a hostage. Banek hires a computer hacker to destroy Gipson's credit rating. And on and on.

But where a conventional Hollywood filmmaker might have turned "Changing Lanes" into an action thriller — with guns drawn and exploding vengeance — filmmaker Roger Michell takes a more measured and rewarding approach.

As tempers flare and the behavior becomes more and more illogical, each man also begins to question his own behavior, not just over this incident, but in life in general.

Without turning preachy, "Changing Lanes" takes on its surprising moral aspect, raising questions that don't always have easy answers.

Affleck and Jackson are memorable as the angry adversaries who don't seem to know they're on journeys of self-discovery.

Quality performances run deep in "Changing Lanes." Other standouts include Kim Staunton as Gipson's estranged but sympathetic ex-wife, William Hurt as Gipson's Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, and especially Pollack, who offers a frightening portrait of ruthless greed as Banek's boss and father-in-law.

"Changing Lanes" is a fresh, thought-provoking, and challenging film, a major step forward for British director Roger Michell.

His previous movies — "Notting Hill," "Persuasion" and "Titanic Town" entertained, but offered little of the substance or emotional impact of this latest effort.

The filmmaker — like his characters — is "Changing Lanes."

Rated R, with profanity.