The cacophony of a Manhattan morning explodes as the camera sweeps across the FDR Drive, a river of metal reflecting the city’s relentless energy. Amidst the gridlock, two lives are about to collide. Gavin Banek, a high-powered lawyer portrayed by Ben Affleck, races against time, a crucial document clutched in his briefcase, his career hanging in the balance. Simultaneously, Doyle Gipson, embodied by Samuel L. Jackson, an insurance salesman trying to get his life back on track, is desperately trying to make it to court to see his children. A minor fender-bender, a moment of shared frustration, escalates into a furious exchange. A split-second decision by Gavin to leave the scene sets off a chain reaction that unravels Doyle’s fragile progress, and the precious document goes missing. Toni Collette as Michelle, Gavin’s colleague, watches with growing unease as the situation spins out of control. The stakes are raised when Stephen Delano, played by Sydney Pollack, becomes entangled in the escalating conflict, his own agenda adding fuel to the fire. In a city where ambition and desperation collide, two men find themselves on a collision course, their lives forever altered by a single, fateful mistake.
Movie Overview
| Title | Changing Lanes |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2002-04-07 |
| Runtime | 98 minutes |
| Genre | Thriller, Action, Drama |
Movie Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Ben Affleck | Gavin Banek |
| Samuel L. Jackson | Doyle Gipson |
| Toni Collette | Michelle |
| Sydney Pollack | Stephen Delano |
| William Hurt | Doyle’s Sponsor |
| Amanda Peet | Cynthia Delano Banek |
| Richard Jenkins | Walter Arnell |
| Dylan Baker | Finch |
| Kim Staunton | Valerie Gipson |
| John Benjamin Hickey | Carlyle |
| Michael McGrath | Seavers |
| Bruce Altman | Terry Kaufman |
| Jennifer Dundas | Mina Dunne |
| Joe Grifasi | Judge Cosell |
| Tina Sloan | Mrs. Delano |
| Akil Walker | Stephen Gipson |
| Matt Malloy | Ron Cabot |
| Cole Hawkins | Danny Gipson |
| Ileen Getz | Ellen |
| Myra Lucretia Taylor | Judge Frances Abarbanel |
| Lisa LeGuillou | Gina Gugliotta |
| Angela Goethals | Sarah Windsor |
| Kevin Sussman | Tyler Cohen |
| Susan Varon | Sheryl Buckburg |
| Noel Wilson | Bartender at Arlo’s |
| Angel Caban | Security Guard at School |
| Jim Lovelett | Security Guard at School |
| Julia Gibson | Receptionist at AD&S |
| Ray Bokhour | Willard |
| Suzanne Hevner | Delano’s Secretary |
| Caleb Archer | Kid on Bike |
| Jordan Gelber | Priest |
| Olga Merediz | Mrs. Miller |
| Jayne Houdyshell | Miss Tetley |
| Shabazz Ray | Cop at Precinct |
| Raymond Anthony Thomas | Cop at Precinct |
| Michael Pitt | Music Teacher/Conductor |
| Genevieve Elam | Waitress |
| Juan Lara | Orchestra Child |
| Anastasia Rojas | Orchestra Child |
| Nicole Wright | Orchestra Child |
| Clive Oliver Greenberg | Orchestra Child |
| Gilbert S. Williams | Mike |
| Sophia Guaspari | Orchestra Member |
| Ruben Jared Seraballs | Orchestra Member |
| Father Bonneau | Self |
| Jewel Brimage | Teacher |
| Katarina Kianna | Teacher |
| Vanessa Quel | Kate |
| Howard I. Laniado | Barry |
| Tony Machine | Office Worker |
| Carolyn Feldschuh | Office Worker |
| Maria Alaina Mason | Office Worker |
| Harvey Waldman | Author in Newsroom Interview |
| Pamela Hart | Newscaster |
| Neal Jones | Newsroom Writer |
| Susan Blackwell | Newsroom Producer |
| Alyson Renaldo | Newsroom Executive Producer |
| James Soviero | Newsroom Associate Producer |
| Mary A. Kelly | Newsroom Script Supervisor |
| Anthony DiGiacomo | Newsroom Associate Director |
| Richard Velasco | Newsroom Director |
| Leonard L. Thomas | Newsroom Reporter |
| Richard Kelly | AA Group Leader |
| Selena Blake | Insurance Broker |
| Harriet Rosenthal | Family Court Member |
| John Kohl | Family Court Member |
| Lisa Vogel | Family Court Member |
| Bob Heffernan | Simon Dunne |
| Michael Arthur | Ticket Cop (uncredited) |
| Myriam Blanckaert | Lawyer (uncredited) |
| Lloyd Booker | DOUBLE / ON SCREEN (uncredited) |
| Salvatore Cavaliere | Family Court Officer (uncredited) |
| Israel Chaplin | George (uncredited) |
| Monet Cunningham | Family Court Member (uncredited) |
| Jason Diamond | Church Member (uncredited) |
| Philip M. Gardiner | Parishioner (uncredited) |
| Sean T. Krishnan | Sikh (uncredited) |
| Michael Lanuto | Bank Patron / Street Pedestrian (uncredited) |
| Pete Macnamara | Irate Pedestrian (uncredited) |
| Joseph Oliveira | Road Driver (uncredited) |
| David C. Roehm Sr. | Defendant in Custody (uncredited) |
| Sam Rovin | Paralegal (uncredited) |
| John H. Tobin | AA Attendee (uncredited) |
| Jarred Treiber | Park Avenue Businessman (uncredited) |
| David Von Roehm | Courtroom Observer (uncredited) |
| Ray Wineteer | Parishioner (uncredited) |
| Waneeki Yokomee-Fung | Tourist (uncredited) |
Storyline
In the relentless urban sprawl of New York City, two lives collide, setting off a destructive chain of events in “Changing Lanes.” Gavin Banek, an ambitious, morally flexible lawyer on the cusp of becoming partner in his father-in-law Stephen Delano’s prestigious law firm, is rushing to court with a crucial document when he has a minor car accident with Doyle Gipson, a recovering alcoholic and struggling father fighting to regain custody of his children. The accident seems insignificant, but Banek’s ruthless ambition leads him to leave the scene, inadvertently leaving Gipson without the document he desperately needs to prove his worthiness as a father in court. As Gipson’s life unravels, fueled by his past demons and the injustice he’s suffered, he seeks retribution, employing increasingly desperate measures to make Banek understand the consequences of his actions. Banek, initially dismissive, soon finds his own life and career threatened, his marriage to Cynthia strained as Gipson’s actions expose the hidden cracks in his seemingly perfect existence. The escalating conflict between Banek and Gipson forces them to confront their own moral compromises, pushing them down increasingly dark paths, forcing them to consider how far they are willing to go to reclaim what they believe they have lost, culminating in a tense confrontation where both men must decide if forgiveness and redemption are possible, or if they are doomed to destroy each other entirely.
Details
In the high-stakes thriller, “Changing Lanes,” a seemingly minor car accident on New York City’s bustling FDR Drive ignites a furious battle between two men from vastly different worlds. Gavin Banek, portrayed by Ben Affleck, is a successful, high-powered lawyer on his way to an important court hearing. Doyle Gipson, brought to life by Samuel L. Jackson, is a recovering alcoholic and struggling father desperately trying to see his children. The fender-bender becomes a catalyst when Gavin, in his haste, leaves the scene with a crucial file belonging to Doyle. This sets off a chain of escalating events as Doyle seeks to reclaim what he’s lost, and Gavin tries to cover his tracks to protect his career and marriage to Cynthia Delano Banek, played by Amanda Peet. As they navigate the cutthroat world of corporate law and personal redemption, their lives intertwine, exposing secrets and forcing them to confront their own moral compromises. William Hurt appears as Doyle’s Sponsor. The film delves into themes of morality, justice, and the devastating consequences of impulsive actions, showcasing how a single moment can irrevocably alter the course of multiple lives. As their conflict intensifies, the film questions whether either man can truly reclaim what they’ve lost without destroying themselves and each other in the process.
FAQs
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What is the movie ‘Changing Lanes’ about?
It’s about a minor car accident between two strangers in New York City that escalates into a vicious battle, as each tries to dismantle the other’s life.
What genres does ‘Changing Lanes’ belong to?
It falls into the genres of Thriller, Action, and Drama.
Who are the main actors in ‘Changing Lanes’?
The main actors are Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson.
Who directed ‘Changing Lanes’?
Roger Michell directed the movie.
When was ‘Changing Lanes’ released?
It was released on April 7, 2002.
What is the runtime of ‘Changing Lanes’?
The movie has a runtime of 98 minutes.
What was the budget for ‘Changing Lanes’?
The budget for the film was 45 million dollars.
What was the revenue generated by ‘Changing Lanes’?
The film grossed 94.9 million dollars.
What is the tagline for ‘Changing Lanes’?
The tagline is “One wrong turn deserves another.”
Where does the movie take place?
The movie is set in New York City.
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