Changing Lanes

Name: Changing Lanes
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: April 12, 2002
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 171 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 171 Ratings

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Changing Lanes

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: April 12, 2002 | R

Starring: Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson

Summary: A rush hour fender-bender on New York City's crowded FDR Drive turns two complete strangers into vicious adversaries. (Paramount Pictures)

Director: Roger Michell

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

This is one of the best movies of the year. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

The movie goes for the throat and keeps squeezing. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Frustrating yet deeply watchable melodrama that makes you think it's a tougher picture than it is. Read full review

James Berardinelli

While Changing Lanes isn't a perfect movie, it's watchable and compelling, and works on more than one level. Read full review

Shawn Levy

Deeply strange, oddly shimmery movie. Read full review

Renee Graham

Banek is one of the more complex characters Affleck has attempted, but the performance comes off flat and uninvolving. Read full review

Jack Mathews

Gets too caught up in its escalating violence and strained-to-bursting moral subtexts. It's the blood of souls drenching the screen, and it's a hideous sight to behold.

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User Reviews

Stagger74

Jul 16, 2021

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Libation70

Aug 3, 2021

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kango

Aug 19, 2010

If you think you've had a hard day, try this...

Jackson plays Doyle Gipson, an insurance salesman who is trying to earn his family back. Between attending AA meetings, he is seeking regular access to his two children. Affleck plays Gavin Banek, whose law firm demands he do morallyIf you think you've had a hard day, try this...

Jackson plays Doyle Gipson, an insurance salesman who is trying to earn his family back. Between attending AA meetings, he is seeking regular access to his two children. Affleck plays Gavin Banek, whose law firm demands he do morally questionable deeds so they can keep earning from their clients. We see their flaws but if there is a difference early on, it is that Gipson wants to do right by everyone while Banek is blinkered into looking after himself. Beginning sharply with a car accident, Banek makes a choice which robs Gipson of something that can't be replaced. Gipson in turn has something Banek desperately needs. As one man's manipulative tactics are used in increasingly desperate measures, the other's wanting to do the right thing quickly evaporates as he is pushed to the brink and beyond. All the action is played out over the course of a day and what a day it is. I've seldom seen so much packed into one 24-hour period that feels as real as this. Things of course move along rapidly. Just when you think a scene may become bogged down in too much talk, one guy makes his move, sparking off the next in the series of clashes. By the end however, both come to ground with a view of themselves they didn't have when they set out that morning. Damage has been done but maybe some can be repaired as two men learn from each other how to be better and move forward. The ending is a very satisfying one. The writing is excellent and moves between moral drama and gritty thriller. It's not all about two men locking horns as their story is interwoven with background to their lives. Whether Banek in discussion with his wife or Gipson having a dilemma in a bar, these scenes add depth but never take away from the intensity. The success of this film is also largely about the two lead performances. Affleck raises his game while Jackson is as charged as ever. He doesn't radiate hugeness as in other roles, but is just as effective in this often broken character. Both ensure their duel is a fascinating one from start to finish.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

TonyB.

Oct 9, 2005

It has a point to make and succeeds in making it. A number of contrivances, the worst being having a NYC public school open on Good Friday, could have been avoided.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Voodoo123

May 15, 2022

Two shallow poorly written characters repeatedly fail to make logical choices in this well produced textured drama/thriller. Sadly the brittle world in which they orbit never takes on a form strong enough to provide the emotional impact their scenes aim to reach. Put this down as anTwo shallow poorly written characters repeatedly fail to make logical choices in this well produced textured drama/thriller. Sadly the brittle world in which they orbit never takes on a form strong enough to provide the emotional impact their scenes aim to reach. Put this down as an intriguing missed opportunity.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Apr 3, 2014

This one was nothing more than ok. Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson are both good in their roles and really help to elevate this film. The story is ok, but my main complaint has to do with the fact that the character development was extremely uneven and muddled. For example, both charactersThis one was nothing more than ok. Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson are both good in their roles and really help to elevate this film. The story is ok, but my main complaint has to do with the fact that the character development was extremely uneven and muddled. For example, both characters have moments where they are good guys and try to be honest, but then the next scene they are absolutely despicable human beings at the drop off a hat in order to get revenge. If this is some comment on society, then this one takes itself a little too seriously. If this is simply what they came up with, then the writers need to be a bit more creative. The constant horrendous acts by both sides made it hard to root for either side, in spite of my trying to identify with them, only for them to totally ruin that over-and-over. On top of that, their acts of revenge were a little far fetched and over the top. I guess the point is that nothing is off-limits for these guys, but I just had a hard time believing that any of this could happen as the film tried to claim.

Overall, Changing Lanes is pretty much a run-of-the-mill thriller with solid acting and definite intensity than teases you constantly. Throughout, I wanted to love it and really invest myself in it, but I never could, because right as the film would start to open itself up to me, it would turn its back and get cold once more.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TenaciousDave

Jun 26, 2020

My best friend and I saw this movie in theaters when it came out and to this day, I feel it's the worst movie I've watched. Ever. It's been nearly 20 years since I watched it. If you're checking out reviews before deciding wether or not to watch it, don't bother watching it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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