inspectorbob I don't think this is my wife's kind of movie. I watched it alone, and I think it would have been a little agonizing for her to watch it because she hates stories where things go wrong and it's tense, and even worse when people MAKE things go wrong for others. So I'm not going to give anything away; no more than the movie's poster's byline, because I want you to see this movie - if you are not in the same category as my wife - and I am assuming that you are like me and don't want the whole thing given away before you get to see it: rather let it unfold and go on the intended journey with it; not knowing what's around he next bend. So why do rate it so highly? It is one of those movies that when it reaches its conclusion, makes you appreciate the journey and revel in how you got to where you did. This movie went far deeper than I expected: it probes and challenges as we live through the character's respective struggles, torment, anguish, and just generally, EMOTION! Not quite fully identifiable personally, but extreme, high level, and wholly the thing that one should "enjoy" experiencing as the viewer, being able to identify with as it strokes chords, without it feeling like they are talking about you (which crosses the boundary from entertainment and goes into something more like psychology or sermonising). A good ride!

renemally A great movie which contains a wealth of deep issues to reflect and discuss. How and under what circumstances can a negative event such as a road accident can have deep positive outcomes? Its a movie about redemption, redemption from deep seated lies in Gavin's life (who is outside rich, inside poor) that money and all money can buy can make a person truly happy. Its a movie about a variety of principles of ethical behavior displayed by different characters of the movie. A movie about how to free yourself from deep rooted aggressions against someone else who has hurt you - by forgiving, making the first step to reconciliation. Difficult messages, but worthwhile not only watching but putting into practice.

tieman64 "Sometimes God likes to put two guys in a paper bag and just let 'em rip." - Gavin Banek "Systems, not people, make society happen." - Michael King Roger Michell directs "Changing Lanes". The plot? Samuel L. Jackson plays Doyle Gipson, an African American insurance salesman who's struggling with a divorce, AA meetings, financial problems and much stress. His car collides with Gavin Banek, played by Ben Affleck, who works for a law firm. Gipson is a man of integrity. A man who wants to do right by everyone. Banek, in contrast, is a wealthy shark routinely asked to do morally questionable deeds for his company. The duo's collision thus results in a sort of heated, class conflict. Unfolding over 24 hours, we watch as the couple lock horns, engage in battle, and attempt to ruin each other's lives.Despite some resemblance to "Falling Down", "Changing Lanes" is a refreshingly old fashioned film, feeling like some noir potboiler or race-relations thriller from the 1950s, or perhaps even something Stanley Kramer (vomit) may have directed. It touches upon white entitlement, the psychic scars of disrespect, the dignity and depravity of human beings, and the importance of responsibility and responsible individual actions, but is smart enough to wrap this all up in thriller dynamics. Like most big studio films concerned with the nature of morality (our heroes cycle through temptation, redemption, anger, chaos and reflection), however, things are kept strictly on the level of personal, individual ethics. The systemic issues which make Gipson and Banek's lessons void and unworkable, are ignored.Michell would direct the truly offencive "Morning Glory" some years later.7.9/10 – Worth one viewing.

Captain_Roberts This movie is everything that is wrong with Wall Street and everything that is wrong with Hollywood.It could be said that this movie is a morality tale, a look into the mind of main character Gavin Banek (Affleck) as he wrestles with the wrongs he has done.The problem? Gavin Banek continues to perpetrate horrible act after horrible act as he punishes Doyle Gibson (Jackson) for an incident that is Banek's fault. HE doesn't just get malicious, he commits multiple federal crimes until the point where Gibson is finally pushed into pushing back...and then Banek continues to commit FURTHER crimes.In the end the moral is that all of the damage can be undone and so Gavin Banek is a "good" person.Banek flees the scene of a car accident that he causes causing Doyle to miss a custody hearing and lose his children.Banek has a hacker destroy Doyle's credit, costing him the chance to purchase a house and save his family.Banek goes to the school of Doyle's children and tells them that Doyle is going to kidnap his own children, and then leaves a message for Doyle that his children have been injured in school...leading to Doyle's arrest.Banek had been cheating on his wife with someone at his law firm.Banek KNOWINGLY defrauded an elderly millionaire so that his father in law could gain control of a charitable foundation worth over 100 million dollars.Then, Bank "makes good" by seeing the light and works to undo the damage he's done, rolling back all the harm he's done. This is supposed to make him sympathetic...and a "good man".Screw that. I spent most of the movie hoping that Banek, his unlikable wife and his horrid father in law would die horribly. They are the epitome of everything that is wrong with our country and yet we are to believe that everything can be okay. That all of the harm that Banek did can be undone and we can learn that Banek is a "good" person simply by his undoing everything he's done? Screw Affleck for making this propagandist piece of crap!