An interesting film about two men hitting each
other and ground zero on the same self-defining day.
Actually, it feels more like one guy is doing the
defining and the other is being defined to. Ben
Affleck plays the new slimy partner at Dewey, Cheatem
and How. Samuel L. the recovering alcoholic dotting
his "I's" and crossing his "T's." They collide on the
highway, creating irreparable damage to both their
respective important missions.
Though the fault squarely appears to be Ben's, the
two indulge in a game of tit for tat that escalates
rather unbelievably out of control - a sort of
"Falling Down" times two.
In fact, like Samuel's character, the film keeps
trying to do the right thing, but messes up every
time circumstances get intense. Fortunately,
in-between rather implausible progressions, excellent
drama takes place. Both are good, but Affleck is at top form,
guttural, believable, compelling. Speaking of acting,
a small part by the guy that fixes anything is
absolutely smashing. Like a young Michael Keaton, he
fired up our audience.
Ben's secretary (etc.) is quite believable,
unfortunately the writers have given her a split
personality ... repulsed by the scummy lawyers she
works for, but quick to pull out a Rolodex hosting
underworld computer hackers. Kim Staunton as Samuel's
ex also gives a pretty powerful speech. Lastly,
you'll love the cynical speech given by Ben's wife,
"I married a Wall Street lawyer ... I could have
married an honest guy instead." (I paraphrase.)
Good theme, good sound effects, slightly above
average film that stumbles on the opportunity to be
something very fine.
Director Michell sums, "It's not a good guy/bad
guy story. It's about standing on the brink of doing
the right thing, or not."
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