Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly effective
Review: Compelling Hollywood thriller sheds most of the damaging cliches that one puts up with from mass-marketed studio fare and truly goes for the grit of the story. Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson are random strangers thrown together by random destiny when their cars collide on a New York Freeway. Jackson is on his way to divorce court, while Affleck, a hotshot lawyer from a giant Manhattan firm, is late for a courtdate of his own. A careless Affleck decides to leave the scene without giving much personal information, not even offering Jackson a lift to the courthouse, and eventually realizes that he has left an important and completely necessary document behind him. Jackson, seeing the file as a trump card, holds on to it until he can exact proper revenge for what he loses as a result of Affleck's callousness. It's not a one-sided affair, though, and soon we see the two of them playing out various schemes to get each other back for what they keep doing to each other. It's probably the worst day that either of them has encountered, but as the film continues we begin to question if they're destroyed by it, or maybe are being given the chance to wipe the board clean and make their lives better. It doesn't achieve every single one of its aims to be a marked cut above conventional drama, but it certainly does a great, entertaining job, never compromising its focus on character development for brainless action or ever pandering to simpleminded morality. Affleck hasn't been better in years as a golden boy who loses his innocence by truly getting a look around at the world around him, and Jackson is a shocking contrast to his powerfully cool Shaft as this character, a broken man who has just taken too many beatings from his difficult life. Smaller roles are also first-rate, including a stunning Toni Collette as Affleck's colleague and Amanda Peet (surprisingly good, I'd hate to admit) as his soulless wife.
Rating:
Summary: Welcome to a thrilling "dog fight"!
Review: Movie previews for this refreshingly different thriller tout it as a fast-paced revenge machine. The real film moves at a much slower pace, focusing on character development. Although the ending does not satisfy completely, suspense is non-stop, with electrifying performances by both leads.Initially introduced fragments of the puzzle are later pieced together. Ben Affleck plays Gavin Banek, a successful young attorney who has been sent by his firm to deliver important files concerning A) a charitable institution, and B) a very disgruntled granddaughter of its now-deceased founder. On the opposite side we meet Samuel L. Jackson's middle-class father, Doyle Gibson, who is in the process of taking out a loan for a home in the hopes that his ex-wife will accept the action as a peace offering instead of taking their two children to Oregon. The two men are both on their way to the courthouse. They have an accident after Banek attempts to change lanes, causing Gibson to careen into a freeway divider. Gibson wants to exchange insurance information ("I wanna do things the right way"); Banek, in a frenzied rush, gives him a blank check and speeds off, unaware that in his search for his checkbook, an important file landed on the street. Gibson retrieves the file, thumbs a ride to the courthouse, too late to make his statement in the custody case; Banek, who discovers his file is missing, is given an end-of-the-day deadline to come up with the document. This all occurs within the first twenty minutes of the film, but not to worry: there's more to it than what we've seen, or what we think will happen. Much of what goes on centers around the important document, that which delegates the power to make decisions for the institution to the law firm. Banek lies to his two partners, telling them the case was ruled in their favor to tide them over while he attempts to get the file back from Gibson. This is where the good gets even better, as the two men engage in a battle of wills and wits. It's like a game, really, an ongoing silent war in which a double-cross is payed back within the hour. Banek enlists the help of a hacker known for his ability to "help out with things that need helping out." He infiltrates Gibson's bank accounts, bankrupting him of his precious loan ("I need this loan for my life," Gibson later pleads with the teller), setting in motion a chain reaction of events that lead to an uncertain destination. The somewhat slow pacing is in the film's favor, allowing us to understand the characters while at the same time putting real effort into the explanations of various plot twists and new developments. There is an underlying web of deception underneath the action that centers around the document, the law firm, and the institution, that which I will not reveal. This subplot turns out to be the basis for the thrills, and it is smart and cooly calculated without insulting one's intelligence. A terrific cast, featuring two leads who play off one other so well, who could carry the movie by themselves. Jackson is a man of many virtues, and he displays a versatility here that is mesmerizing and intense. We feel for this man as a father, and as a person, and can come to understand his reasoning. Affleck has found a role befitting of his acting ability; there is a diversity of emotions to Banek's character, much of which revolves around being held at the whim of a man he hardly knows, and Affleck portrays this exquisitely. The film worked for me right up until the ending, which is well-intentioned, but doesn't quite live up to the goals the material sets for itself. But to think about it further is to realize that there is really no other way for "Changing Lanes" to end without descending into the ludicrousness that plagues most thrillers. Up until this point, there are thrills, surprises, and acting gusto aplenty, making the experience an enjoyable and involving one. This is a great film until the final, less than great, moments. I compare the experience to similar "winners" like "Double Jeapardy" and "Face-Off". Not quite fantastic, still strong 4-star thrillers! (like this one here!)****
Rating: 
Summary: A theme overdone and yet still unable to be done correctly
Review: I saw this movie and have to say that it wasn't all that bad. But as this genre of pitting two people against eachother because one messes the other one over and the one that was done over retaliates, has been overdone and it is a shame that two decent actors have to take these roles. I believe that they should choose more captivativating, unique and out of the blockbuster category and maybe they could retain some of their fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Good human texture spoiled by stupid hollywood screenplay
Review: This movie is marvelously directed -- lots of good micro-moments. But the larger story is completely contrived. The driving forces were cartoonish, and, in true hollywood fashion, the characters became puppets to the plot. Because of this, over and over again, the movie relies on nonsense. For example: Jackson's character tells Affleck's character "I threw it away", and Affleck just walks away, even though their meeting was a miraculous coincidence, instead of asking: "where?" Emotions flip-flop on a dime ("I'm gonna kill him", "I'm gonna help him") invalidating the very real work done to make the small-scale stuff in the movie seem human. Skip it.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Tale of Morality...
Review: Oh man, what a punch in the gut. It speaks about rich vs. poor, black vs. white, and to a lesser extent, good versus evil. Ultimately I think it was well worth it to see a lawyer grow a concious. (not that I think it would ever happen.) And you totally feel for Samuel L. Jackson. Just trying to do right, get with his wife, be a good father and Bam! But I'm not too worried, after all he's a jedi. This was by far the best acting by Ben Affleck I've seen in a while.
One of the things I loved about 'Lanes' was once you thought you've found the lowest common denominator, forget it, someone will go even lower. These guy go beyond killing they move in on each others families. And I love his boss trying to rationalize what he does as "more good" It was almost the only laugh in an otherwise serious movie.
The two leads punch and claw their way through a terrible day and the movie ends with a surprising if not satisfying conclusion. I don't want to give too much away, but its at Blockbuster right now, Go rent it its well worth rental price.
Rating: 
Summary: Could Be The Best of 2002!
Review: What an excellent film! Roger Michell has crafted a superb film in every respect, from its brilliant acting turns by both Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Affleck in this character-driven story by Michael Tolkin (of "The Player") and Chap Taylor, to its technical aspects, such as cinematography, editing, and score. Rather than merely being a suspenseful chase film with a villain and a hero, the story goes far beyond that formula and makes each character complex; there are no true villains in "Changing Lanes." So much depth and symbolism was given to every aspect of this film to capture the mature audience's mind from beginning to end that I find it pathetic that this film was a sleeper when released in theaters; nowadays, films like "Jackass: The Movie" will probably win the number one weekly-earnings spot. Oh well, I shouldn't get impatient. Great films take time to be appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: Good idea, hard to follow at times
Review: I was intrigued by the movie ever since I saw the previews the first time. Overall, I have to say it is an allreight show. I like the idea of two people squaring off over a conflict they had, that could have been resolved easily. There are a few items that bother me though: Ben Affleck destroying Samuel L. Jackson's credit seems unrealistic, and an extreme measure that early in the movie. Also, the relationship between Samuel L. Jackson and his wife would have to be devloped more to really make sense in the context of the movie. In their first scene together, she is hollering at him in the courtroom. The next scence they talk, thay are very friendly and amicable. This is a good renter, but I wouldn't want to own it.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I did not like this movie at all. The idea behind was good, but it lacked any kind of suspense. I found it slow paced and boring. I do not recommend
Rating:
Summary: WORTHY MORALITY TALE: 3.5 STARS
Review: Changing Lanes, directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill), is an urban morality tale that centres around a road rage conflict that escalates out of control following a fender bender between an obnoxious yuppie lawyer (Ben Affleck) and a recovering alcoholic (Samuel L Jackson) desperately trying to rebuild his family life. From what should have been an easily resolved accident their row escalates into an obsessive conflict in which the ante is continually upped as they set about bringing misery and revenge to each others lives. Despite the mixed reviews I found this to be a very intelligent and well-acted movie. Unlike most mainstream Hollywood movies it has both a point and some meaning. It offers a very insightful snapshot of the dog eat dog world that we currently co-exist in, where people are in constant competition with each other and (selfishly) no longer show any thought, courtesy, compassion or consideration for each other. In many ways Changing Lanes is an Indie movie in Hollywood clothing. However, it boasts two strong male leads in Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson, who both portray their opposing characters with depth, range and subtlety. In particular, it is refreshing to see Ben Affleck in something more substantial. The poor guy has taken such a fearful battering from critics since the ill-conceived Pearl Harbour but despite this he has made something of a comeback this year with both Changing Lanes and The Sum of All Fears. Like it or not, Ben Affleck IS a big star with a bright future. Samuel L Jackson, once again shows what a very versatile actor he is. He can be cool, he can be powerful, he can dominate the screen or as he does in this movie he can show a range of depth and subtlety beyond the vast majority of other actors. However, it is Toni Collette (Muriels Wedding, The Sixth Sense, About A Boy etc.) and legendary film producer/Director Sydney Pollack (in a rare acting appearance) that, to my mind, are the stars of this particular show in their respective supporting roles as Affleck's ex-mistress/confidante and boss/father in law. Pollack in particular gives a powerful performance as a charming father figure who switches at the drop of the hat to be a ruthless and vindictive morally corrupt businessman. If there is a downside to this movie, it's the ending. If this was truly an Independent movie and not a Paramount produced project, then it surely would have had an ending more befitting reality and more befitting the tone of the film, with no redemption for anybody. Instead however, what we get is ultimately a cop-out (Hollywood) and they all lived happily ever after ending. Despite that though, given the worthiness of this tale and the top-notch acting performances from a fine cast, I still think its worth a go and worthy of 3.5 stars. : )
Rating:
Summary: Changing Lanes
Review: Not the typical run of the mill movie. This is a very interesting story with a creative ending. Ben Affleck is a partner of a large law firm challenged with making the ethical choices in day to day life. Samuel Jackson is an insurance salesperson facing the same challenges. The two meet each other due to a car accident, they become enemies, and wind up helping each other (unwillingly) in learning how to arise to each decision based challenge. This is a dark movie, if you are ok with that type of story, I think that you will enjoy this movie very much.
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