As I have mentioned in my profile, I have been away from Ciao for a long time now, nearly two years in fact. This has been mainly due to having no computer access. Now I have got limited access at my local library so I hope to resume writing regular reviews on this site. Because of this, may I ask you to be patient as my first couple of reviews may seem a bit rustier than my original work. As ever your comments will be greatly accepted.
I have chosen this film simply because it has been my most recent dvd purchase. I realise that it is not the most recent movie release but I imagine there will be people like myself who have yet to see it. Well, here goes..........
The film has got a very simple plot that revolves around two main characters, Gavin Banek, who is played by Ben Affleck and Doyle Gipson, played by the living legend that is Samuel. L. Jackson. Banek is a high flying member of a law firm owned by his father in law, Stephen Delano, played by the always excellent Sydney Pollack. Delano has a very close relationship with his son in law who in turn has a great affection for him also. Gipson, on the other hand, is a now single man, on the harsh
end of everything that life has to throw at him. Recently seperated from his wife, going through divorce proceedings, he also has to contend with the possibility of his ex-wife moving away and taking their children with her. Understandably, this means Gipson is a man on the brink, disillusioned with the system and being a very unstable human being indeed.
The two characters are thrown together early in the film when both are driving their cars along the freeway. An accident ensues and they both collide with the obvious conclusion of Gipson being the one who comes off worst. His car has smashed into the barrier and although there isn't a great deal wrong with Banek's car, he dutifully stops. Naturally both characters are on their way somewhere but Gipson, wanting to do things right, asks to exchange insurance details. At first, Banek agrees. In his rush and panic to find these details, Banek decides the best course of action would be to write out a blank cheque which Gipson is not happy about. An argument starts and the hurried Banek decides that the best thing to do is to speed off not realising that he has left behind what turns out to be a very important document. This document is now in Gipson's hands.
As I said earlier, both characters were on their way somewhere. Banek was on his way to court to produce some very sensitive documents at a high profile case. Obviously he arrived late and as mentioned above, he arrived at court minus one of the very important documents. On the other side of the coin, Gipson was also on his way to court to put forward his case to the custody judge in order to try and prevent his ex-wife taking away their children. He too arrives late and this severely hampers the case he wants to put across.
Both Banek and Gipson are now sworn enemies, blaming each other for what has happened and with Gipson now in posession of the important document, the film descends into a game of cat and mouse. This reveals both sides of the characters and exposes a whole set of morals which do give you quite a lot to think about as the film progresses. The really clever thing about the film from my point of view is that even though Banek is effectively the bad guy, the film can make you feel a lot more sorry for him as he digs himself deeper into a hole that he knows is now way beyond him.
Overall, the film does throw up several surprises, not only in the plot, but in the fact that, and some people may find this harsh, Ben Affleck actually can act. I think that this makes it obvious that I am not his biggest fan. The films that I have seen him in previously have never changed my opinion that his acting is shabby at best. This is different though, I actually thought he was quite good. On the contrary, even though I have said above that Samuel. L. Jackson is a living legend, this is not his strongest performance. Dont get me wrong, he wasn't bad, but I know he has done and can do better.
The other characters don't have large roles but are all reasonably strong in their own right. Sydney Pollack is as good as ever, Toni Collette, who plays Banek's assistant is solid and Amanda Peet is faultless as his wife Cynthia. Overall, they are a good cast and are well directed by Robert Michell. It is here that I would like to compare this film to his other work but it is something I am not fully clued up on. Any information on this would be welcome.
DVD Special Features:
A commentary by director Roger Michell - The norm on dvds nowadays. I have not listened to it because it is not my cup of tea but it is there anyway.
Making of Featurette - Again, the norm on dvds but an interesting insight into the behind the scenes events of shooting the movie. Deleted and extended scenes - Not something I agree with entirely. I would rather these were on a second disc, integrated into the full movie so I could compare both versions.
Theatrical trailer - Needs no explanation.
Thats it for the first of hopefully many. Many thanks for rating and please rate honestly.
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Jul 13th, 2004
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