SLIDING DOORS
SYNOPSIS:
Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow), a London PR hot shot is suddenly fired from her job. On her
miserable way home, she misses the tube, is mugged, and tries rebuilding her life by
working as a waitress and trying to come to terms with the possibility that her live-in
lover (John Lynch) is not the philanderer she suspects. But what if she'd got on that
train? Her life could be quite different? In this scenario, Helen meets a witty, Scottish
guy (John Hannah) on the train, who loves to sprout Monty Python, and in fact DOES
discover her boyfriend in bed with an ex-flame (Jeanne Tripplehorn), thus her own life
begins rebuilding in a different direction, both professionally and personally, until fate
invokes tragedy on both Helens, simultaneously, with different conclusions.
"Beguiling and seductive, Sliding Doors is a cinematic jewel: an intelligent,
thought provoking film that defies classification. Peter Howitt’s intriguing concept
is beautifully brought to the screen by faultless execution and seamless integration. The
film canvases fate, coincidence, chance, circumstance and premonitions - all fascinating
issues in themselves. The philosophical questions raised in the chance split-second
occurrences in our lives are ones which confront us all every day. The film divides like a
fork in the road of life, smoothly and effortless compelling and engaging in the two
ensuing stories. A bright star shining throughout, Gwyneth Paltrow delivers screen magic,
captivating every nuance of her very full and complete character. At times, her facial
features are reminiscent of a young waif-like Mia Farrow. Enigmatic and engaging with a
perfect London accent, her performance makes us want to jump aboard the emotional
rollercoaster with her. The other leads are terrific, especially John Hannah, who
complements Paltrow perfectly. I worry only about John Lynch’s character, so
unappealing that his relationship with Helen doesn’t ring true. Beautifully
structured and deliciously tantalising, Sliding Doors is a special film, whose
complexities and intrigue intensify long after the film has finished. Nostalgic,
reminiscent, but never overtly sentimental, the production values are tops, with focused
direction and a music soundtrack that complements the mood."
Louise Keller
"No-one can ever know in advance how a film is going to turn out. It often turns
on small things; a bit of luck on the shoot, a single idea that illuminates some part of
the script, or a single casting decision. In this case, I think Howitt has been blessed
with all these things falling into place for him. This is not to detract from his writing,
the beginning without which none of it would have happened. The film takes us on two
journeys, and makes them both feel real, giving us a bitter sweet experience and the
realisation that our lives can go in any direction at any time, and it hardly matters.
Chance rules, OK."
Andrew L. Urban
|
Email this article


CRITICAL COUNT
Favourable: 1
Unfavourable: 0
Mixed: 1


SLIDING DOORS (M)
(US/UK)
CAST: Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, John Lynch, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Zara Turner,
Douglas McFerran, Paul Brightwell, Nina Young, Virginia McKenna
DIRECTOR: Peter Howitt
PRODUCER: Sydney Pollack, Philippa Braithwaite, William Horberg
SCRIPT: Peter Howitt
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Remi Adefarasin
EDITOR: John Smith
MUSIC: David Hirschfelder
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Maria Djurkovic
RUNNING TIME: 108 minutes
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: UIP
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE: July 30, 1998
VIDEO RELEASE: July 9, 1999
VIDEO DISTRIBUTOR: CIC VIDEO
RRP: $24.95
|