Changing Lanes

Starring:Ben Affleck, Samuel Jackson
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Impeccably crafted and smarter than your average thriller, Changing Lanes proves that revenge is a dish best served cold. A high-powered attorney (Ben Affleck) learns that lesson the hard way after he flees the scene of an accident involving an insurance salesman (Samuel L. Jackson) who holds a powerful advantage in his retaliatory strike against the lawyer's arrogant behavior. Affleck has everything to gain if he can retrieve a lost document from Jackson, who has everything to lose (wife, family, savings) when threatened with financial sabotage. To his versatile credit, Notting Hill director Roger Michell never plays the race card in this escalating battle of wills, focusing instead on the percolating resentments of men at opposite ends of the economic scale. As he did in Eyes Wide Shut, actor-director Sydney Pollack chillingly embodies the venal elite in a pivotal supporting role, and Changing Lanes potently illustrates the wisdom of heeding a guilty conscience. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

One of the Most Underrated Movies in Years.......2007-07-05

South African director Roger Michell directs this hit suspense thriller starring Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson. Michell is actually very skilled and has a tremendous amount of mainstream appeal. He also directed last years Venus, which was another solid film albeit very different from Changing Lanes. Ben Affleck plays Gavin, a successful Wall Street attorney who must file a power of appointment for his company, which is run by his father-in-law played by Sydney Pollack. The document will sign a company over to his law firm and that company is owned by a dying man. Ethical questions certainly surround the document and as things unfold we find out even more. Doyle is played by Samuel L. Jackson, he is an insurance salesman and a recovering alcoholic who wants badly to restore his family before his wife takes his children away to the west coast. We get the feeling that Doyle is a wounded man and his actions are unacceptable at times. Actually both characters are deeply flawed and that is what makes their collision so engaging.

On his way to court to file this crucial document, Gavin gets into a car accident with Doyle. He doesn't prioritize the accident and instead must leave the scene to make it to court on time. Doyle's car will not drive and he is in the middle of a highway median when Gavin takes off in a rush. It of course begins to rain. Doyle himself was on his way to court and when he eventually gets there he finds out that he is too late. His goal was to surprise his wife with a mortgage loan he just received so his family would stay. He was attempting to get some resolution to whatever chaos he may have caused his family before this movie begins. Unfortunately for Gavin the power of appointment was left at the scene of the accident and is in Doyle's possession. Doyle, sour for being left in the rain on the highway and missing his chance in court, refuses to give Gavin the document. Needless to say they both have reasonable vendettas against one another and the battle they have escalates throughout as the film goes forward. These two men are basically dehumanized to one another and it doesn't help matters that they both come from entirely different worlds. They are opposites in life, so they are fundamentally opposed to one another when the first sign of conflict surfaces. It turns out that Changing Lanes evolves into a unique commentary on the darkest sides of human nature. It is unique because we visit these dark decisions by way of likeable and real character portrayals. To avoid spoilers, I won't reveal anymore than I have already.

Samuel L. Jackson is obviously an outstanding actor and he is great here but the most surprising thing is Ben Affleck matches him and then some. It's a shame Ben's reputation as an actor was so horrible at the time Changing Lanes came out because his performance definitely deserved some praise. Sydney Pollack is also outstanding as an exceptionally believable and accessible villain. A lot of the credit goes to the screenplay here for exposing pragmatic reactions to specific circumstances instead of superficial morality. There are no purely ethical and moral figures in Changing Lanes, but then again I can't think of too many in real life either. If they did exist in Changing Lanes then its commentary would be disrupted completely, but I still held out hoping reason would creek into the picture. Chaos reigns here and humanity is called upon to prevail. It puts suspense on a much larger societal scale for me. I know that the ending bothered those hoping for something more retributive but try to see Changing Lanes as a story about healing, not revenge.

Incredible movie ever made.........2007-06-21

"Changing Lanes" is one of my most favorite drama movies. Its plot mainly focuses on the relationship of two normal guys, Doyle Gipson and Gavin Banek , who have totally different social backgrounds, and how they ended up to realize what is right and wrong. Doy Gipson, played by Samuel L. Jackson, was a car insurrance salesman, and Gavin Banek,played by Ben Affleck, was a lawyer, who worked for his father-in-law, a dishonest man who tried to steal the one-million foundation from other members in the board for himself. The car accident caused by Gavin in one morning day had almost changed the two men's life forever. As a result,Gipson was late for the divorcise court to inform his wife and kids that he has just bought the new house, and to express his endless desireness to be a great husband and father. On the other hand, Gavin, who accidentally dropped the important document while writting a check to Gipson, couldn't win his case, and his life was threatened, which he had to find the document or he would be going to jail. Frustration between two men grew intensely as they tried all attempts to revenge each others. Gavin cut off Gipson's credit lines and did some tricks that sunk Gipson deeply into family issues and financial troubles. While Gipson almost killed Gavin by taking apart Gavin car's wheel. However, at the end, they came to understand each others more, and their reconcillation helped them to realize that the hatred had drawn them into the world of sin, evilness and guilt of the modern society. This movie has acutally made me concentrate so hard and held my interest 'til the end. The other reason I gave this movie 5 stars is the uniqueness of this movie. The movie goes beyond the "drama" means, it sent the good messages. It taught me a valuble and moral lessons that revenging doesnt' help solving or winning anything, and you can never get enough revenge without paying for it each time.

Hung Duong

Better than I expected .......2007-06-08

Some reviewers have complained that they didn't know who they were supposed to cheer for in this movie. This is exactly why I like this movie. Somehow, I feel sympathy for both characters. The acute sense of urgency for both characters was well played out and created a great deal of suspense. Also, I loved the twist of Amanda Peet's character.

BETTER THAN AVERAGE THRILLER!.......2007-04-12

This film is much better than the average thriller and it will hold your interest to the end. Good acting, good story and it's not overly long. The DVD transfer is very good.

PRETTY GOOD FLICK.......2007-02-10

CHANGING LANES

I have to say that this film is much better then I thought it would be, don't get me wrong I knew it would be good but I thought it would be just ok. I have to say that Chap Taylor & Michael Tolkin wrote a great story for this film. Each little thing that happened in this film had me hooked waiting on what would happen next. Also Director Roger Michell did a great job with this film; his vision for this film was great. Of course you know that the acting in this film was great, Samuel L. Jackson as always was perfect in is role as the down & out good guy who deserves better. And at the opposite end of the spectrum is the high class, highly paid lawyer who has slipped from his moral ways played perfectly by Ben Affleck.
The story for all those who don't know is about two very late people who end up in a very bad situation. One is a down 7 out man {Jackson} who just needs to get to court to try and get his kids. The other is a lawyer {Affleck} who is running late to put the last nail in the coffin of some one who used to tryst him. Well neither gets what they want when they have an accident on the road which causes both to be very late. Jackson doesn't get any custody rights to his kid, and Affleck loses a paper he needs. It turns out Jackson's character has the paper and the two have an all out war over that little piece of paper.

If you haven't seen it I recommend that you do, this is a very entertaining film.

Average customer rating:

Tha Block DVD, Vol. 2
Starring: Tha Block
Manufacturer: Changing Lanes
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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We're back with Tha Block DVD Volume II and it's straight fire! We have an exclusive Crooked I interview where he speaks on his past with Suge Knight, Death Row, his new imprint Dynasty Records and more! We kicked it with Lil E, the legendary Eazy E's son and talked about his debut out on Virgin Records, the pressures of being a legends son, Etc. We traveled to the pioneer Dj Muggs studio to have a conversation with him about Cypress Hill, his new label Angeles Records, how the rap culture has evolved and more! Tha Block went to the gym with UFC's Tito Ortiz! ! See exclusive concert footage and interview with Lil Rob! Music video's by Stat Quo, Crooked I, and Lil Rob!

Average customer rating:

Tha Block DVD, Vol. 3
Starring: Tha Block
Manufacturer: Changing Lanes
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With THA BLOCK DVD - VOLUME 3 we take you behind the scenes with one of the hottest photographers/music video directors/entrepreneurs, Joker Brand's very own ESTEVAN ORIOL. Estevan talks about his passion for photography, coming up, and the importance of positive influence. We then bounced out to WATTS, CALIFORNIA to visit the 1.7 million dollar man. GLASSES MALONE. Glasses took us for a ride through his hood and talked about his major deal with Sony, Game, Black Wall Street and how he managed his hustle. We have exclusive performance footage of Suga Free! Music videos by the Dogg Pound, Muggs & Gza, Sheek Louch and more!

Average customer rating:

Tha Block DVD, Vol. 1
Starring: Tha Block
Manufacturer: Changing Lanes
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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In this edition, we feature an in depth interview with Jayo Felony. Jayo speaks on his past label and album situations, as well as his forthcoming album "in the trenches", how he got discovered, beef and more! We also had a chance to sit down with Baby Bashwho speaks on his new album "Super Saucy" the state of Latin rap and more! Rass Kass who speaks on his past and current label situations, his recent jail time and more! Stat Quo, Dr. Dre & Eminem's newest soldier. Stat Quo speaks on how he got discovered, his thoughts on being on Shady/Aftermath, his mixtape success, Etc! Also videos from F.I.L.T.H.E.E Immigrants, Kemo tha Blaxican, Psycho Realm performance footage and more.

Average customer rating:

One of the Most Underrated Movies in Years
Incredible movie ever made..
Better than I expected
BETTER THAN AVERAGE THRILLER!
PRETTY GOOD FLICK

Changing Lanes [Region 2]
Starring: Ben Affleck , Samuel L. Jackson , Kim Staunton , Toni Collette , and Sydney Pollack
Director: Roger Michell
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00006AGHG

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

One of the Most Underrated Movies in Years.......2007-07-05

Incredible movie ever made.........2007-06-21

Better than I expected .......2007-06-08

BETTER THAN AVERAGE THRILLER!.......2007-04-12

This film is much better than the average thriller and it will hold your interest to the end. Good acting, good story and it's not overly long. The DVD transfer is very good.

PRETTY GOOD FLICK.......2007-02-10

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