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Plot Summary
Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck) is a
big “hot-shot” lawyer who works for his father-in-law (Sidney
Pollack). He is on his way to court to defend the company’s control of a
multi-million dollar trust fund.
At the same time Doyle Gipson
(Samuel L Jackson), an insurance salesman, is on his way to court as his
estranged wife is seeking sole custody of their two young boys.
While
driving to court Banek’s car collides with Gipson’s. Banek is late for
his important court case and just wants to get going while Gipson tries to
exchange insurance details. In the end Banek, gives Gipson a blank cheque
to get his car fixed and drives off leaving Gipson stranded. Unknown to
both of them the consequence of their little accident is going to go far
beyond a little panel beating and a paint job…
Review
The trailers had me thinking I
was going to see an action-thriller but it's more character study than
action. The movie explores the actions and reactions of the characters and
the desperation they feel as they find their lives spiralling out of
control. The story is well told and moves along at a nice pace under the
direction of Roger Michell who also directed “Notting Hill”. While the
movie didn’t have the “fireworks” I was expecting it is still an
interesting film that keeps you wondering which way the characters will
jump next. The ending was a little unlikely and it wrapped things up just
a little to tidily!
The main theme of the movie is
the idea of “doing the right thing” and the unexpected consequences of
rash actions and behaviour. When Gipson wanted to exchange insurance
details after the accident he says “ I want to do this right” but
Banek drives off. We’ve all wanted to turn back the clock to change
something and when Gipson is twenty minutes late for his court case he
asks Banek, “can you give me back my time? Can you give me back my
twenty minutes!
Samuel L. Jackson plays a very
different character in this movie compared to the dangerous characters in
Shaft, Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction. He does a convincing job as Gipson
the recovering alcoholic attempting to get his family back together.
Ben Affeck is good as the
arrogant “big shot” lawyer who struggles with his principles and there
is strong support from Sidney Pollack as the obnoxious father-in-law, Toni
Collette as Banek’s colleague and mistress, and Kim Staunton as
Gipson’s estranged wife.
Lasting
thought: All the money in the world couldn't buy Gipson’s twenty minutes
back!
Reviewed by Niall Quinn,
Premier Movie Reviews
2002 |