Changing Lanes

Changing Lanes is a drama set in New York City, where a minor traffic accident on a crowded expressway sets two strangers against each other. Gavin Banek is a lawyer hurrying to court over a case tied to a large charitable foundation, while Doyle Gipson, an insurance man fighting for access to his sons, is also due before a judge. After their cars collide, Gavin rushes off and leaves Doyle stranded, and in his haste he also hands over a document from his own files. Both men miss their court appearances, and what begins as a dispute over a roadside incident grows into a deliberate campaign by each to damage the other's life, even as their methods and their motives differ. The film was directed by Roger Michell, its third feature after Persuasion and Notting Hill, from a screenplay by Michael Tolkin and Chap Taylor, and produced by Scott Rudin. Ben Affleck plays Gavin, Samuel L. Jackson plays Doyle, and the cast includes Toni Collette, Sydney Pollack, William Hurt and Amanda Peet.

Released in 2002, the film had a budget of 45 million US dollars and took about 95 million US dollars worldwide. It runs 98 minutes and is classified as an action, drama and thriller. On IMDb it holds 6.5 out of 10 from around 78,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.3 out of 10 from roughly 1,261 votes. A critics' rating of 7.2 out of 10 from 150 reviews sits above both audience scores.