From time to time, Hollywood pulls together its billion-dollar resources and big-name actors to create a morally challenging and provocative film. "Changing Lanes" is one of these movies. Although many critics have argued that the lessons ultimately learned by Wall Street lawyer Gavin (Ben Affleck) are a tad trite and cliche, the cinematography is excellent, the script is well written and the actors' performances are natural and compelling.
The film follows a conflict between two men, Gavin and Doyle (Samuel L. Jackson), following a car accident on the way to the courthouse. Gavin is trying to provide evidence to prove that the $3 million his firm earned from a dying man's charity was legal, while Doyle, a recovering alcoholic, simply wants to prevent his wife from taking his children away to Oregon.
The accident costs Doyle his visitation rights and Gavin the file he needs to prove he didn't steal an old man's money. Both men use a number of underhanded tricks in the name of revenge, and the day ends with them both men violating that "sacred bond that keeps us from going ape shit." Some philosophy majors may remember this as the "social contract."
Director Roger Michell does a good job putting the film together, but ending it one or two scenes earlier would have resulted in a less happily ever after ending. Instead, Gavin learns that being a corporate lawyer may not be the best way to help orphans and Doyle finds out that being a recovering alcoholic won't get you very far in divorce-court proceedings. Wrapping up all the tale's loose ends waters down what could have been a more forceful conclusion, but the final product is still a moral roller coaster. It's unfortunate that the conclusion is so self-righteous