CHANGING LANES

 

FOUR STARS - PROFOUND

 

             Few films reflect the spiritual and ethical struggle within American culture as powerfully as Roger Michell's "Changing Lanes."  Though morally exhausting as we walk through the sequence of events that occur because of a simple automobile accident, writer Chris Taylor exposes the moral morass in which many of us live our lives.

             Far more subtle and complex than a simple morality play, "Changing Lanes" only hints at the possible solution to our dilemma and leaves us longing for the more transcendent resolution.

             The story revolves around two men whose souls are exposed when their lives become intertwined by an accident caused by their attempts to change lanes on the F.D.R. freeway in New York City.  Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck) is a wealthy Wall Street lawyer who is on his way to court to present documentation justifying why his firm has taken control of a wealthy charity.  Doyle Gibson (Samuel L. Jackson) is an insurance telemarketer who is on his way to court to try to prevent his estranged wife and two children from leaving the city and moving to Oregon.  Both are damaged souls.

             Gavin's soul has been strangled by the greed of his father-in-law's firm.  Made a partner because of his ability to deceive a dying man and betray an old friend, Gavin has no spiritual life or community to help him combat the ethical and moral pressures he experiences.

             Doyle's soul has been harmed by an addiction to alcohol and anger. Trying to salvage his marriage and his life, Doyle has turned to the "higher power" of the Alcoholics Anonymous community.  But as the story unfolds, it is clear that he misunderstands the true goal of his healing:  it is not only to stop drinking, but also to become a person who does the right thing.

             Like two injured animals thrown together, Gavin and Doyle struggle time after time with the choice of whether they are going to help or harm the other person.  Turning to people with whom they share their lives, the conversations are profoundly revealing of our culture's values, beliefs and practices.

             Like ships without rudders, the removal of spiritual communities and their moral teachings leave Gavin's father-in-law explaining that he has no standard by which to evaluate his behaviors.  He says that he "tries, by the end of the day to do a little more good than harm."

             In a similar way, Gavin's wife (Amanda Peet) explains that she grew up in the opulence gained by her father's ability to use the law to cheat and deceive, and that she chose Gavin because she knew he would provide for her in the same way her father had.  She did not choose a moral man because she wanted the pleasures immorality could afford.

             In all of our lives, there are moments when we make decisions to either care for one another in honesty and love or destroy one another with whatever resources we have at our disposal.  Though "Changing Lanes" doesn't provide the answer it hints at throughout the film, it clearly presents the choices we are called upon to make.

 

 

(517 words)

 ________________

Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary.  Hal Conklin is former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is pastor of the Free Methodist Church. To contact:  http://www.cinemainfocus.com.