... Sliding Doors has been out for over ten years and we have watched it about twenty times but it is still really good, and one of those films you can watch however many times. We do actually own the film on VHS somewhere which shows how old it is. I remember first watching it on TV though a ... Read review
Nice concept, shaky execution--that about sums up the mixed blessings of British actor ... more
Peter Howitt's intelligent but forgivably flawed debut as a writer-director. It's got more emotional depth than most frothy romantic comedies and its central idea--t...
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Nice concept, shaky execution--that about sums up the mixed blessings of British actor ... more
Peter Howitt's intelligent but forgivably flawed debut as a writer-director. It's got more emotional depth than most frothy romantic comedies and its central idea--t...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 3 to 5 weeks...
The split-second moments that can take a life down one path instead of another form the ... more
tantalizing 'what if?' in this delightful romantic comedy starring Gwyneth Paltrow.Paltrow plays London publicist Helen, effortlessly sliding between parallel story...
The split-second moments that can take a life down one path instead of another form the ... more
tantalizing what if? in this delightful romantic comedy starring Gwyneth Paltrow.Paltrow plays London publicist Helen, effortlessly sliding between parallel storylines that show what happens if she does or does not catch a morning train back to her apartment. Love. Romantic entanglements. Deception. Trust. Friendship. Comedy. All come into focus as the two sisters shift back and forth, overlap, then surprisingly converge in 'the most provocative romantic comedy in years!' (Stephen Farber, Movieline).
Release Date: 2006-03-13, Rating Suitable for 15 years and over,
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Comedy - Director: Gareth Carrivick - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Kathryn Drysdale, Sheridan Smith, Natalie Casey, Will Mellor, Ralf Little
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: Excellent story, Great acting, funny. Disadvantages: None
...wanted something good to watch. Sliding Doors has been out for over ten years and we have watched it about twenty times but it is still really good, and one of those films you can watch however many times. We do actually own the film on VHS somewhere which shows how old it is. I remember first watching it on TV though a few years ago. There are some recognisable actors involved and I quite like Gwyneth Paltrow. I think she is a very good actress ... ...acting in the late eighties. Sliding doors was actually his first film that he directed which is surprising as it is very successful. Peter also wrote the film as well as directing it. He has been acting longer than directing but some other films that are well known, that he has directed include- ‘Johnny English’ 2003 and ‘Laws of Attraction’ 2004. he has won several awards for his work.
Last night I went to visit my mum like I do most Mondays. Since moving I always dedicate a weekday to see her. After catching up and having a rant about the most common crap things in life we wanted something good to watch. Sliding Doors has been out for over ten years and we have watched it about twenty times but it is still really good, and one of those films you can watch however many times. We do actually own the film on VHS somewhere which shows how old it is. I remember first watching it on TV though a few years ago. There are some recognisable actors involved and I quite like Gwyneth Paltrow. I think she is a very good actress and even though she does not appear in big blockbusters, all her films are soft and well performed. So after discovering this was on I was pleased of the choice as it is a good film to relax to and not think too much about.
After watching this a few times we did purchase the VHS and I remember it being an interesting cover. If you have not seen it before the cover is intriguing. It shows the front spilt into two and Gwyneth is on either side but looking different. I like the tagline also shown – There are two sides to every story’. This gets you thinking. What two stories are there and what happens as there are two different styles of the same actress on the front. What I also like about this film is that there are some other great actors including, John Lynch who has played very good parts in many films. The film also has a good director and nice image.
The film makes you think about life which maybe good or bad for some. It made me think about what might have happened if things were different or you change your life without knowing. it.
~ INFO ~
Director- Peter Howitt
I like Peter because like most directors he also does acting and has produced a film too. The multi talented man is also English and started career in entertainment with acting in the late eighties. Sliding doors was actually his first film that he directed which is surprising as it is very successful. Peter also wrote the film as well as directing it. He has been acting longer than directing but some other films that are well known, that he has directed include- ‘Johnny English’ 2003 and ‘Laws of Attraction’ 2004. he has won several awards for his work. Release date- 1 May 1998 (UK) Runtime- 99 Mins Certificate- 15 Music- David Hirchfelder Distributed- Miramax films and Paramount pictures.
~ CAST ~
Gwyneth Paltrow – Helen Quilley John Hannah- James Hammerton John Lynch- Gerry Jeanne Tripplehorn- Lydia Zara Turner- Anna Douglas McFerran – Russell Paul Brightwell- Clive ~ PLOT ~
Sliding Doors is a romantic drama which follows the life of a woman called Helen. We see two ways in which her life could go as she reaches the tube and is late. It shows Helen just boarding the train on time and then cuts to her missing it. The film then splits into a parallel universe in what would happen to your life if something like this happened. How different would it be and the changes they make. The film then follows her two lives as she shows how two minutes can change your whole life. They are very different to each other and as it concludes at the end it makes you think hard about how different your lie could be if you missed that bus or train home.
~ The Film~
The film was mainly filmed in London and has some brilliant establishing shots of the City. There are plenty of different locations to keep you interested and it gives you an idea of life living in a big city. The story flows well and is not too fast or slow and boring. It sounds complicated when you listen to each story being told but the film shows it in a very simple way. I have not explained what each story consists of as I do not want to ruin it for those who have not seen it. The tone is good and it is neatly made.
It has a good soundtrack including the well known track from Dido ‘Thank you’. The list from the album shows as-
• "Thank You" Performed by Dido
• "Good Enough" Performed by Dodgy
• "Have fun, go mad" Performed by Blair
• "Turn back time" Performed by Aqua
• "Amateur" Performed by Aimee Mann
• "Use the Force" Performed by Jamiroquai
• "Miracle" Performed by Olive
• "More Love" Performed by Brand New Heavies
• "Call Me Fool" Performed by Those Magnificent Men
• "Don't Feel Like Crying" Performed by Abra Moore
• "Drug Soup" Performed by Space Monkeys
• "Tenderness On The Block" Performed by Patty Larkin
• "On My Own" Performed by Peach Union
• "Bennie And The Jets" Performed by Elton John
• "Honkey Cat" Performed by Elton John
ACTING
The acting was superb. Gwyneth performs well in both her situations as her character goes through many events. She is very likable in this and you connect with Helen well, wondering what will happen to her. It is properly one of the best films I have seen her in. There are all types of emotions and she shows humour, anger and betrayal. Gwyneth who is an American actress seems to be able to pull of an English woman very well.
John also plays really well as his character. He brings a humorous side that you will enjoy. His character is lovable, funny and he fits this well. I found myself laughing at many of his jokes and sarcasm. His humour is light and I especially like the quote from Monty Python’s meaning of life which is used several times in the film. Even though there is nothing about John that makes you think wow he is really good looking, he is a caring, simple but funny man who cares a lot about her.
All of the supporting actors are great. Helen’s best friend Anna is really funny and shows how friends are always there for you. She also brings a little humour to the story. My favourite character has to be Gerry’s friend Russell. He is only seen a few times through out but brings hard hitting humour to the movie. Gerry is seen trying to confide in his friend many times as his life is going wrong. Russell seems to be amused by Gerry’s situations and dilemmas and just laughs it off. It is a really funny part of the film because every time we see them talking Gerry’s life is getting worse and Russell finds it more and more amusing.
~ NAARATIVE ~
The story is really good and the first I had seen of its kind. It includes everything you need for a brilliant story. Red herrings, dramatic events and every emotion. The comedy in the film is good and you feel really involved in Helen’s life. I really liked the way they filmed both lives and it is not complicated to follow. It is better when in one situation Helen cuts her hair and has a new style. You can then follow each story with ease.
There are not many films that show this successfully and Sliding Doors is a film made to perfection. I still enjoy all the twists even though I have seen it so many times before. There is a lot that happens and each story happens quickly to start with.
It is very entertaining and does make you think a lot about life. Would life be so different if you missed a bus? What changes could be made in two minutes difference. It is quite intuiting thinking that these two minutes could change your life. I have read some reviews which say that they were disappointed with the ending. I actually quite liked how it ended as it is unpredictable and different. It all comes together very well. It is defiantly more stylish and interesting than your average romantic comedy film. ~ OVERALL ~
It is a very lovely film which is interesting all the way through. The acting is great, the filming is good and the story is original. It maybe more of a girls film and maybe watch it on a girl’s night in. I would certainly recommend this to anyone and will try to find a copy on DVD. A must see film1 I would give it a 9/10.
~ EXTRAS ~
- Rotten Tomato rating- 63%
Quotes
Anna: Are you okay? Helen: Yes, just going quietly mad. Anna: Thank goodness for that. I was worried.
James: Cheer up. Remember what the Monty Python boys say. Helen: "Always look on the bright side of life"? James: No, "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition."
James: What are you doing two weeks on Saturday? Helen: Probably killing myself. James: Excellent. What time does that finish? Do you like boats?
DVD
The DVD can be found on Play.com for £2.99. This is a single disc but comes with some special features.
Advantages: Easy To Watch Disadvantages: Nothing Fantastic
Sliding Doors is a film which brings to the screens the question ‘what if?’ it was released in 1998 and is still managing to bring in plenty of viewers due to its unique story and layout which has been copied, but not as successfully, since. == What’s it all about? == The movie is a romance story about Helen, the film follows her in her struggles through her life, work and especially her love life. The starting and main point of the film is at the ... ...is unbearable to think about, Sliding Doors really shows the impact that small things in our lives can have. Helen becomes two different people in the film and the stories grow so far apart but remain amazingly parallel, to put such a big concept on the screen is admirable and is most likely the sole reason for the success of the film. The film, although not incredibly deep, does have a moral, and the ending left me and I am sure most viewers wondering ...
amyloop 12.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sliding Doors (DVD)
Advantages: an original concept, good acting Disadvantages: why is it happening?
I had only ever seen this film once previously, not long after it came out in the video shop, so when I noticed that my friend had a copy of it, I decided to nick it - okay, I'm lying, I asked to borrow it.
ANYWAY, I couldn't really remember many of the details of it because it had been quite a few years since its release - I think I was in first year of uni at the time which would have made it '97 or '98 that it first came out in the cinema. What ... ...very interesting concept and starred an interesting choice of leads - Gwyneth Paltrow and . . . John Hannah? Surely not!
THE STORY
Paltrow plays Helen, a PR exec who, on being fired one morning by her chauvinistic company, finds her life about to take two different journeys, depending on whether or not she manages to board a specific underground train before the doors close. The Helen that makes it onto the train walks in on her boyfriend in bed ...
Pmshack99 16.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sliding Doors (DVD)
Advantages: Well acted by a likeable cast, intelligent scripting, thought provoking Disadvantages: Tripplehorn over-eggs her role, some complained it was hard to follow, maybe more of a chick flick...
...frequently. If more were like Sliding Doors however it would be a pleasure.
Sliding Doors explores that old chestnut of ‘what if?’. However, in this instance it’s not just a ten second plot device used to advance the story into cliché hell, but rather Sliding Doors bases its entire story on an instance of lost time and the exploration of a different fork in the path of life of one woman and how differently things would develop as a result. The movie ... ...then his is a career which certainly deserves following in the future. Sliding Doors is great, more intelligent than your average romantic comedy and by virtue of that alone perhaps, both enormously watchable and highly enjoyable to boot.
Recommended for a rental...especially since Christmas telly really sucks this year. ...
wampyrii 27.12.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sliding Doors (DVD)
Advantages: Slightly Different and Clever Disadvantages: Difficult to warm to Paltrow initially
Those of you who are old enough to remember the sitcom bread will no doubt also remember Joey, the eldest son and all round supposedly cool dude. There were two Joeys throughout the run of the show but the second one only came around as the programme was rapidly going down the pan. Anyway, the actor who played Joey number one, Peter Howitt went on to write and direct this British romantic comedy.
Most of you probably already new that no doubt and ... ...am talking about but there you go.
As I have already stated, in my usual bumbling manner, this film is a rom-com and it was made in 1998. It stars Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, Jeannie Tripplehorn and John Lynch but what the hell is it about?
Well it starts off with Helen (Paltrow) frantically rushing to work on a Monday morning. We find out that it was her birthday the previous Friday and she took some Vodka from work for her party as she was ...
bizzetto 08.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sliding Doors (DVD)
Advantages: Thoughtful Rom Com, Engaging, Warm Disadvantages: Some OTT performances
Sliding Doors - Film Only review
What different path would your life follow if you happened to say, miss a tube-train by only a second? What effect would that second have on your life? Would it be different? Or is your destiny inextricably mapped out? Sliding Doors, directed by Peter Howett (of 'Bread' fame) explores this question, following the life of recently fired PR Girl Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) as she misses a train in one scenario but catches ... ...two storylines - in the first, after catching the train, Helen arrives home early to find her boyfriend Gerry (John Lynch) enthusiastically entertaining his brash American bit-on-the-side (the ever-sexy Jeanne Tripplehorn). In the other, missing the train, she arrives home much later to find Gerry guiltily washing the mornings pleasures from his body, unsuspecting of her boyfriends propensity to roll around with sexy American women.
It's an interesting ...
4ku-Papa 18.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sliding Doors (DVD)
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Advantages: One of the best Voyager seasons Disadvantages: Is the LAST of the Voyager seasons
after adventure, Tom Paris taking the Delta Flyer for a joyride, the re-emergence of the Marquis, the birth of a Klingon-Human Hybrid and plenty of other great episodes............I really want to go on but i don't want to spoil the fun!
Not forgetting of course the inevitable question........
DO THEY EVER GET HOME???........
"Course they do" i hear you say..."Every story has a happy ending"..... well.....perhaps not, you will have to watch it for yourself, you won't be dissapointed.
So in review, a great DVD set. It has it all, action, adventure, love stories, life, death.......and of course those brilliant slidingdoors with the "shusssssh" sound effects! lol
I paid 80-odd quid for this when it first came out and i thought it was worth it back then, for the price you are paying now it's a steal!!
Highly recommended ...
"...Both storylines are compelling and engaging....With a pleasing balance of comedy and drama, SLIDING DOORS is an exceedingly original comedy-drama that appeals to both the romantic heart and the philosophical mind..." (Box Office, p.53, 01/03/1998)
"...A lovely feeling for the power of chance..." -- Rating: B (Entertainment Weekly, p.55, 29/05/1998)
"...[A] delightful romance with a twist..." (Premiere, p.20, 01/03/1998)
"...The date-night movie of choice for incurable romantics.....Funny and touching..." (Rolling Stone, p.74, 05/03/1998)
"...The movie makes for demanding, cerebral viewing..." (Sight and Sound, p.55-6, 01/06/1998)
DVD Description
A beautiful young English woman learns that she has been fired from her PR job. On the way home, the doors of a tube car close on her, opening the "what if" floodgates. She begins to live out two lives: if she had made the train, and if she hadn't. An intriguing concept about fate and how simple moments have the ability to change our lives.
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