Rating: 
Summary: Exciting Movie About The Results When Emotions Take Over
Review: I rated this movie 4 Stars (first half easily five stars/ second half weaker when actions seem forced and eventually unbelievable).
The acting was great, and the story was better than most movies being made today. I found Samuel L. Jackson's character the more interesting of the two main leads. He comes across as a likeable person with many faults, but also many honorable characteristics. Ben Affleck seems less realistic (only 29 and already partner of a major law firm, yeah right). The previews tell the story for the most part, but it is the acting and small twists that keep the movie enjoyable, although disturbing. I would rate this movie highly EXCEPT for the scene when Ben's character meets his wife (why was that included because she certainly shouldn't have been aware of the secretive events going on with her father and husband) and later the scene with his wife's' parents (that just couldn't have happened). The wife and children of Samuel L Jackson's character were a nice addition to the "one on one" encounters that start to get a little monotonous and overblown after awhile. Still all in all, the movie is worth watching and will leave you thinking about the story.
Rating: 
Summary: A thoughtful film about two guys not thinking straight
Review: Any thoughts that "Changing Lanes" would be a predictable film should have gone out the window as soon as you saw Samuel L. Jackson was involved. The story is about two men who do not have time for a freeway fender bender. Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck) is a lawyer who has some important papers to file to prove an ailing millionaire signed over control of his foundation to Banek's law firm. Doyle Gipson (Jackson), also has to get to court so he can show he got approved for a loan to buy a house so that his wife will not move with his two sons to Oregon. The accident itself is really nobody's fault, but everything that happens after words in this escalating war of words and deeds can be laid at the feet of Gavin and Doyle, who dive off into the deep end.The movie ads proclaimed "One wrong turn deserves another," and it helps set the audience up for the carnage these two reap on each other's lives as their frustrations give way to anger. They have good reason to be frustrated: Doyle gets to court too late and his last chance to keep his family together is gone; Gavin arrives at court only to discover he has left the most important document behind. It turns out that this document is so important that not having it can put him and the bosses at his firm, including his father-in-law, in prison. These are two men whose lives have come to major crossroads. This is news to Gavin, but the impact is not less than it is on Doyle. The trailer for "Changing Lanes" emphasizes the horrible things these two men manage to do to each other during the course of what is clearly the worst days of their lives. Gavin uses a computer wizard to destroy Doyle's credit rating. Doyle loosen the bolts on the wheel of Gavin's car. If somebody does not end up dead by the end of this film, then we are all going to be very much surprised. But that is what makes this film worth watching is that it is surprising, as when Gavin and Doyle both discover the true value of the lives they have been trying to lead are found in the women they have married (Amanda Peet and Kim Stauton respectively). Ultimately, it is the ability of the script by Chap Taylor and Michael Tolkin to surprises us and lifts "Changing Lanes" above the standard Hollywood tale of urban violence. These two men could be cartoonish figures, but they become fully developed characters; not because of what they do to each other, but because of what they articulate about their lives in talking to others. Gavin confesses to his former mistress (Toni Collette) while Doyle bare his soul to his AA sponsor (William Hurt). In their initial conversation after the accident Gavin and Doyle are too worried about where they should be to have a civil conversation. Their next words are insults that they shout (and fax). But the film holds the promise that once these two men hit rock bottom that they might final turn on one another and talk.
Rating:
Summary: Characters grow
Review: This isn't a perfect film. It goes back and forth in two guys messed up lives and doesn't resolve itself but it does speak to their basic responsibility and both actors giv epretty good performances. They essentially play two screwed up guys who intersect in funny and sad ways. Reflections of teh others. People attached to negative energy.
Rating:
Summary: Mysteriously underrrated..
Review: Admittingly, my only reservation about seeing this film was that it included Ben Affleck in it. After recent disasters like "Pearl Harbor" and the "Sum of all fears" he's participated in, he's become an actor whose films i tend to avoid on principle. Having said that, i also have to admit that my concerns were proven wrong as Affleck does an excellent job here.
But more to the specifics, "Changing lanes" is an excellent and mysteriously underrated thriller.
With a plot based on revenge and the intense personality and determination of both characters to achieve their respective missionsthis film works very effectively until the end where "Hollywooditis" infects the ending and undermines an otherwise great effort by all involved.
Before that, we see a high profile lawyer (Affleck)on his way to the courthouse for an ultra important trial that is supposed to land him and his firm millions and put him for good in the top league. Bound for the very same courthouse is Doyle Gibson (Jackson) a middle class man with his life in shambles and with a last ditch plan to salvage his marriage at court as he has just taken a loan for a house which he hopes will convince his wife to return to him along with their kids.
On their way (shades of doom-laden synchronicity) these 2 characters engage in a car accident. Affleck ignores Jackson's intentions to "do things right" and instead hands him a blank check and speeds off the scene while Jackson is left there with a crashed car and time running out for his court appearance. Affleck does reach the court in time but not so Jackson whos sees his last hopes going down the drain.
But ar the scene of the accident Affleck loses a key document for his trial which lands in the hands of Jackson. Subsequently Affleck's trial becomes a non decision and unless he gets that document back his life is about to become shambles too.
That's where the story takes off. Jackson with nothing much else left to lose decides he's going to have his revenge by not giving that document back. Affleck uses all his high-end connection to force or even terrorise Jackson, all to no avail as he finds out that he's really encountered the wrong man in the wrong situation. Credits to the scriptwritter for not indulging in any cheap tricks as he lays out the duel between the 2 main characters. The script is indeed carefully plotted (but not contrived as many reviewers claim) and even though it does have a rather slow pace it never loses its grip on the viewer. Affleck and Jackson make two perfect poles of opposition and that without the need of the race card. As we see each of them exchange positions in holding the upper hand and the tricks and machinations being constantly renewed by both we still have no way to predict where this will all end up. While Jackson's performance is arguably no suprise (by now he's in no need of proving anything as an actor) it's Affleck who actually follows suit with a strong outing of his own. A great thriller that will only let you down in the very last scene, which, doesnt betray the plot but is definately not the appropriate ending for such a great film.
Rating:
Summary: A smart drama with two great performances...
Review: Ben Affleck has really grown as an actor in the past year. This is his best performance since "Chasing Amy," and that's a hard one to beat. He plays Gavin, a lawyer who gets in an auto accident with Doyle, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Doyle gets his hands on some documents that Gavin needs for a case that very day and thus the two get into a cat-and-mouse escapade that feels surprisingly real as things unfold. The one thing this movie contains is an element of harsh realism and believability. Our characters are well scripted and the audience really understands them. We're never once asked to like our characters nor hate them. Instead, we are asked to empathize with them, especially Doyle, who is having family trouble and because of the accident is late to his divorce hearing. The one character we should like is Doyle, but even he has his faults. William Hurt plays an AA mentor who bails Doyle out of jail at one point and the two have a well-scripted conversation in which Hurt points out the faults of Jackson's character. "Changing Lanes" is definitely not a cheery film, but it is great in that the characters are three-dimensional and the acting is extremely good, especially from Affleck and Jackson. While this may not be one of Samuel L. Jackson's best films, at least it showcases Affleck as a talented, capable actor. I reccommend it to anyone looking for a movie that will make them think and requires more intelligence than the average popcorn flick.
Rating: 
Summary: Good film until the ending
Review: First, I think Changing Lanes is a very good film that had the potential to be great. Samuel Jackson and Ben Affleck give excellent performances, expected from Jackson and one of Affleck's better outings. Changing Lanes is not the hyper charged action revenge flick the trailer made it out to be. Instead it is a thoughtful look at two flawed characters that devolve through most of the film until they meet their base personality and the responsibility of their actions. There is action and the plot moves quickly. Watching events unfold and splinter into lower forms of behavior is convincingly conveyed right until the last scene which is a Hollywood ending. Without giving away details it makes the decision that you as a viewer aren't smart enough to "get" the film and helps you along with the extra Hollywood oriented coda type ending. Worth seeing for 95% of the film. Even with the cop-out ending there are many excellent themes developed and questions Changing Lanes asks.
Rating: 
Summary: Exit here.
Review: This film was written very poorly. It is difficult for any film-maker to overcome bad writing, though one does have to place some blame on the actors & directors. When both main characters make very inconsistent choices, demonstrate such poor judgement, and act in a contrite and petty manner, how is the audience supposed to sympathize? I, for one, was not willing to do so just because the actors were Ben Affleck & Sam Jackson.
Don't even rent this.
Rating:
Summary: Ben Affleck [vs] Samuel L. Jackson
Review: After watching this movie and 'The Sum Of All Fears', both of which came out and the same time, I think it's safe to say this is the better of the two. In this sometimes subtle thriller, Ben Affleck stars with Samuel L. Jackson. Affleck plays the part of a big-shot attorney whose supposed-to-be-pro-bono job takes a turn for the worst when he loses a red folder after an accident on the freeway. He'd met Doyle Gibson during that accident, and in turn he has the folder. This then starts an awesome brawl between the two men, who are both seeking successful revenge to make up for the [bad] days they'd each had. And as the battle between them picks up, so does the movie. I find it disappointing that Affleck and Jackson had never, before 'Changing Lanes', been in a movie together. They work so well as enemies that you're never able to chose a side; or pick a favorite. Both characters do things they'd probably never do, but in the cases they're in, they have no choice. And throughout the movie, you'll keep wondering to yourself why he doesn't just give the folder back. But remember, if he did that, there would be no movie. As far as a supporting cast, there's not much. The appearance by Amanda Peet ('The Whole Nine Yards' and 'Whipped') is good, yet minimal. But to be honest, the film doesn't need much support. It's very strong on its own; Affleck and Jackson really mold the movie into an original piece of work. And defining this movie in a genre is difficult. It's not a comedy, nor is it a true action film. In the end it's just a thriller; and a great one at that. I gave this movie only 4 stars, and not 5, because of its (lack of) supporting cast. As I said, the film is still very strong without it, but it would have been nice to see some more familiar faces. Nonetheless, 'Changing Lanes' is one of my favorite Affleck movies, and one of the best I've seen recently. If you like Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, or even just exceptionally good movies, then this movie is for you. It will give you a whole new take on the powers of revenge.
Rating:
Summary: Jackson's performance makes this film.
Review: Changing Lanes is one of the more interestingly-premised psychological thriller-type films. (It definitely is more difficult to pinpoint this one...it manages to navigate through several different genres rather effectively) While it borders on predictably formulated, Jackson's performance in this is, not surprisingly, terrific. Two strangers find their lives intertwined unexpectedly after a car accident. One is on his way up, and one is on his way out of the gutter, for lack of a better term. Affleck, in a role seemed tailored for him, plays the young attorney on his way to power. This role didn't seem like one of his greatest acting stretches, but it also wasn't mishandled. He does manage to guide his characters zig zag-ing perceptions of right and wrong with the skill you would expect. Jackson handles his part with much more of what you've come to expect. He expertly handles his character's seeming disregard for all he has rebuilt in reaction to the sheer frustration and absurdity of his situation. It's a much more complext part than is appears, and Jackson, again, is worth watching. From a story perspective, it's not the tightest thriller you have ever seen, but it is an interesting twist on the typical cat-and-mouse game genre.
Rating:
Summary: What a Roller Coaster ride!!!
Review: Wow! Watching this movie was like riding a roller coaster! There were more ups and downs in this movie than the Loch Nest Monster at Busch Gardens! This movie starred Ben Affleck and Samuel Jackson. Ben is the Wall Street lawyer and Samuel is the average guy trying to keep his life and marriage together. They are both heading for court and get into an accident. Ben leaves Samuel as he is late for court. So is Samuel. Unfortunately, Ben leaves his court papers with Samuel by mistake. The rest of the movie is the bad things they do to each other to retaliate. The tension is thick throughout the whole movie as you watch them destroy each others lives. Watching it unfold you realize how mean people can be to each other and how we can mistreat our fellow man. Fourtunately in the end each man realizes the harm they are doing and rectify the situation. Without the positive ending this movie would have fallen short. But the ending brought it all together! It's quite a thriller with a great ending! Give it a try....
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