Changing Lanes

Ben Affleck does not flex the dramatic muscle needed to launch this spotty Wall Street thriller into white-knuckle orbit. Samuel L. Jackson co-stars as a recovering alcoholic New York businessman who scrapes car fenders with the arrogant upscale Manhattan attorney during rush hour and enters into a feud that threatens to ruin both their personal, financial and professional lives. Themes about corporate ethics, greed, corruption and our vulnerability in the face of determined evil have a Falling Down finality that is weakened by unconvincing character arcs. Directed by Roger Michell (Notting Hill) with Toni Collette, William Hurt, Sydney Pollack and Amanda Peet in supporting roles.