Watch Changing Lanes

Changing Lanes is a 2002 drama thriller that stars Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kim Staunton. The movie is directed by Roger Michell and written by Chap Taylor and Michael Tolkin. It tells the story of two men who get into a minor car accident on the FDR Drive in New York City, and how a series of events following that accident lead to their lives getting intertwined in unpredictable ways.

Affleck plays Gavin Banek, a wealthy lawyer who works at a high-powered law firm in New York City. He is married to a successful investment banker and has a young son. Jackson plays Doyle Gipson, a recovering alcoholic who has lost his wife, his home, and his job. He is trying to regain custody of his two sons and get back on his feet.

The movie starts with Banek rushing to a court hearing where he needs to present important documents on behalf of a client. In his haste, he forgets the file in his car and leaves it with Gipson, whom he encounters in a gas station. But Gipson, who is already having a bad day, refuses to hand over the file without an apology from Banek. Both men get into a heated argument that culminates in Gipson throwing the file onto the street in front of Banek's car. Banek gets into his car, picks up the file, and drives off, leaving Gipson stranded.

As Banek is driving away, Gipson chases him and causes him to crash his car. However, instead of stopping to help, Gipson takes Banek's car and heads to his court hearing. Banek, who is delayed by the accident, misses his hearing and loses the case. This sets off a chain reaction of events that affect both of their lives.

The movie explores themes of trust, morality, and the repercussions of one's actions. Banek's choices and his unwillingness to take responsibility for his mistakes lead to a series of events that put his career and his family in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Gipson's desperation to get his life back on track leads him to make impulsive decisions that have unintended consequences.

The two men's lives intersect in unexpected ways, and the movie takes the viewers on a tense and thrilling journey as they try to deal with the aftermath of the car crash. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, including a judge, an insurance agent, and a greedy businessman, all of whom play their part in the unfolding of events.

The acting in the movie is top-notch, with Affleck and Jackson delivering powerful performances. Staunton, who plays Banek's wife, also delivers a nuanced performance of a woman torn between her love for her husband and her frustration with his actions.

The directing and cinematography of the movie are also noteworthy, with Michell using the backdrop of New York City to great effect. The movie's soundtrack, which features songs from artists like David Bowie and PJ Harvey, adds to the overall atmosphere of the movie.

In conclusion, Changing Lanes is a gripping drama thriller that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. It explores complex themes in a thought-provoking and engaging way, and keeps the audience on edge until the very end.

Changing Lanes is a 2002 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 69.