Movie Review: Changing Lanes

Changing Lanes

Billed as a suspense movie, Changing Lanes never gets very suspenseful. Ben Affleck plays an up and coming lawyer, already wealthy and set to become much more so. Samuel L. Jackson is the ordinary hard working man, barely making ends meet as an insurance salesman. But these acclaimed actors aren't the problem in this film; it's a lukewarm script wending its way through a predictable plot.

The movie begins as Affleck prepares to deliver some important documents to a courtroom in a case that will get his firm millions. Meanwhile, Jackson hurries to the county courthouse to testify in his own behalf in a child custody case. As the two drive on the same highway downtown, their cars sideswipe during a careless lane change. Since neither have time to spare, the incident escalates and Affleck ends up leaving Jackson standing next to his stalled car. The problem is that Affleck also leaves some crucial paperwork behind. Jackson's character is understandably upset with the lawyer who made him late for his hearing. The mercenary lawyer is more than anxious to get his papers back from a man who has little reason to be cooperative. And so a minor accident and a passing incident of road rage becomes a combination of stalking and revenge on both sides of the issue.

While the plot has potential, Jackson's "everyman" - set up to be the good guy - is simply not likable enough for the audience to get behind. And Affleck, who one might suspect is either wholly bad or who will end up with a convenient crisis of conscience, is just a run-of-the-mill amoral guy, neither bad enough nor redeemed enough to leave the viewer with much feeling either way. And because the movie is utterly devoid of hooks to get audiences emotionally involved, it never really matters. That means the suspense isn't suspenseful, and the movie as a whole will leave you largely untouched with an ending that will have you wondering why you spent the previous 90 minutes getting there.

Special Note: If you've ever wondered why there's any fuss about guarding your Social Security number, or how it is that some privacy-loving people don't care to reveal even the most mundane facts about themselves, this movie will change your mind and have you justifiably paranoid from here on out. Watch for the scene with the Private Investigator cum Computer Hacker, and you'll see what I mean.

Family Suitability: Changing Lanes is rated R. I have no idea why that might be. There is no overt sex or violence, and the language isn't as adult as some PG-13 movies I've seen. From that standpoint, I wouldn't have a problem with a 12 year-old seeing this movie. The 12 year-old, bored out of his mind, might beg to differ.