SLIDING DOORS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (1998) USA, 126 mins
THE CREDITS: Directed by Peter Howitt; Starring Gwynyth Paltrow, John Hannah, John Lynch
THE VERDICT: A solid, innovative high-concept story that's well-executed and quite effective. Not quite a masterpiece, but there's a lot to like about this film.
THE RATING (out of 5): * * * *
Did you happen to read my review of THE FULL MONTY the other week? If so, you may recall I described the film as a quiet, rather unassuming character drama with heart. The same could equally be said of SLIDING DOORS, which is not at all dissimilar in style or tone. However, there is one big difference between the two films -- the plot. Frankly, THE FULL MONTY was extremely lucky to pull of its rather flimsy plot about male strippers, whereas right from the offset SLIDING DOORS had a no-lose script.
It's an fresh slant on that most eternal of questions -- "what if?". Who among us can honestly say they never ask themselves "what if I'd only done such-and-such…what if I'd acted differently in situation x"? Well, SLIDING DOORS actually answers that question, in the case of Helen (Paltrow) who narrowly misses her train by a half second. But we also see, in a parallel universe if you like, a Helen "B" who does catch the train, and how doing so affects her life in so many ways.
The film follows the unfolding lives of both Helens. The Helen who caught the train arrives home early and finds her husband Gerry (John Lynch) in bed with another woman. She dumps him, and soon meets the ever-so charming James (John Hannah) who soon succeeds in winning her heart. At his suggestion she sets up her own, successful P.R. business. This Helen becomes a winner in love and business. But the "other" Helen -- the one who missed that train -- never discovered her husband was having an affair (at least not until much later on in the film), and is trapped in a menial job, living with an adulterous husband.
First of all, you have to give credit to writer Peter Howitt. It's a very tricky concept to dramatise, and the film could easily have degenerated into a convoluted, confusing shambles. But it doesn't. Both storylines are intertwined beautifully, and I, for one, had no difficulty following them at all (of course it helped that both Helen's had different hairdos!). It's not until the end of the film that both storylines again converge in a clever, unpredictable and very satisfying conclusion. I'm sure it wasn't easy to come up with an ending that would tie up both storylines, and I was well aware that a lot of the success of this film would depend on its resolution. I won't give anything away in case you've yet to see the film, but the conclusion features a poignant but brilliantly conceived twist that neatly bookends the two storylines in an appropriately bittersweet coda.
As I've said, it's a very good film, but there are one or two slight problems that prevent it from being truly outstanding. As in THE FULL MONTY, the comedy is underplayed and the character drama maybe a little too low-key for some tastes. You might also notice that the film tends to focus on Helen's love life more than anything. That's all good and well -- it's a romantic comedy, after all -- but it almost gives the impression that the film is under-ambitious. Heck, I don't mean I expected anything ridiculously over-the-top like FOREST GUMP (Look! She's a sports star! Now she's a war hero! A shrimp boat captain! A millionaire!!). But it just all feels a little too low-brow. Thankfully it's just a minor niggle, and it doesn't hurt the film that badly at all.
The splendid performances of the cast give the film a remarkable boost, and more than overcome any minor problems that might otherwise mar this film. Gwynyth Paltrow is perfectly cast in the lead role. Not only is her London twang faultless, but she's an engaging, likeable screen presence and she carries the film magnificently. John Hannah is similarly good as the charismatic James, though he isn't actually given much to do in the role other than "be charming"! John Lynch also does a pretty good job as Helen's two-timing husband, managing to be sleazy but likeable at the same time. Certainly no problems the acting department, and the directing is equally competent.
Summing up -- SLIDING DOORS is a well-plotted and thought-provoking treatment of that ol' "What if?" scenario. Sometimes a little too mellow for its own good, but an otherwise intriguing, beautifully-performed and touching character drama that's well worth a look.
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Review written by and (c) Rory B Mackay, 1998
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