videorama-759-859391
I'm not really one for romantic films. In my collection of over 4000 movies, I have many few. This and Notting Hill, I'll make an exception. Sliding Door's story is cleverly devised with the "If only" scenario, where Londoner Helen (Gwyneth who's really good in this) who's been having a sh.t of a day, after she's fired. Gwyneth's English accent, was really impressive, almost to the point, I almost forgot, she was American. Two scenarios are formed where Fired Helen One, gets on the train, goes home, to find loverboy (Flynn- Angel Baby) in bed with another woman, a hotter one, a former Basic Instinct cast member. She goes ape sh.t at him, leaves, takes consolence and residence at her best friend's place. The other scenario has Fired Helen 2 just missing the train, an obstructive figure, blocking her stepway. She gets home (Miss Triplehorn's gone). In this scenario, Paltrow becomes very suspect, like any woman would, who found two empty brandy glasses, yet only one feller. So, she starts playing detective. These scenarios pave the way for such fun time viewing, fun in how these unpredictable scenarios will unfold, and it's a very smart and different idea, a first time from a writer actor who must be commended. Hannah as Fired Helen 1's new love interest is such a warm appreciated relief, as James. Besides liking Hannah himself, you really like this character. Flynn as the cheating arsehole, and ex boyfriend, Nick, is really good like his co-stars, playing a rather pathetic, yet funny great character. Even though I despised him, I did like the character, in the way it was formed. And that's the thing about this film, the characters are really well created, and relatable. You could say, I got off on his pity self. The actors really give what they got to the characters, where personally I really like Hannah's performance, like the charmer/actor himself. Paltrow's best friend was memorable, another character relief of warmth, where Flynn's mate at the pub, who he regularly confides in, is a hoot. Pity he's only in a couple of scenes, cause the scenes he is in, are gold. If a rather touch bland, Sliding Doors is a well written, acted, funny, and smartly crafted concept, and one of '98's, later surprises, with a bit of tragedy, and surprise, it's end, the only real criticism, that could of done with more attention. Killer song by Aqua, plus another. Ah, memories of the 90's.
Clinton Yuen
I was referred to this movie from a video by spiritualist Teal Swan titled "What are The Akashic Records?" It turns out that the main subject of this movie, that is of a multi-dimensional life and its possibilities, are contain in the Akashic records. Helen, a single public relations professional with a live-in boyfriend named Gerry, gets fired. On her way back home, she is delayed for about a second by a child who steps in front of her as she hurriedly descends down the subway stairway. This causes her to miss the train. In another parallel scenario, the child is moved out of the way and Helen is able to board the train. From this juncture, two parallel and diverse lives of Helen emerge concurrently. In the path where she misses the train, she never finds out that Gerry is cheating on her. In the second path she meets a suitor named James on board, discovers that Gerry is cheating, and dumps him for James. We see both paths weave through Helen's time line with an ongoing suspicious relationship with Gerry on one hand, and a developing relationship with James on the other. Both paths reach a climax at the same physical location, a hospital, with two completely different outcomes. I like this movie because it is an easy to digest dramatization of what in the spiritual world is referred to as controlling one's reality based on how one reacts. Helen could have not gotten fired in which case the two scenarios in the movie would be insignificant. I applaud this movie for tackling a much discussed and pondered subject of multi-dimensional and possible life outcomes that could play out depending on how we react to circumstances.
Scrappythefirst
This movie is right up there with The Princess Bride, except it has a time dimensional twist. I just watched it for the 5th time, in a few years. It never disappoints. The first time I saw it I couldn't believe what I'd just seen! I just sat back and said, "Wow!" , and I've literally been thinking about the movie ever since, in one way or another. it's the kind of movie you expect to hear Rod Serlings voice at the end.It is a very clever story, with 2 paths of Helen's life being depicted throughout the movie, same characters, similar events, but different life decisions and subsequent fallout. Both paths are very interesting, and the movie does a great job of seamlessly letting you know which path you are watching at any point in time. Although a simple story, the developing plot had me hooked the entire movie. I loved it, beginning to end. I don't think it is really a comedy, I would call it more a drama. It is a very serious look at life, paths taken and not taken, and destiny. Paltrow is her charming, adorable self, her character very engaging, and a masterful actress.
