bob_bear I'd wanted to see this for a while. I knew it as a rob of Run, Lola Run! (Lola Rennt) but it it intrgued me none the less. Gwyneth Paltrow is not one of my favourite actors and the chemistry with her two male leads is less than stellar but she did a great job of a convincing English accent and deserved better than this cheap, non-filmic looking outing that has all the production values and art camerawork of a Channel Five drama.It's like a hideous rom-com as styled by Richard Curtis crossed with a stolen idea. What would happen if life changed because of a 2 second chance happenstance. Interesting premise but a bad wig and two drippy guys didn't do it for me.Sorry, not good. Sorry Gwenyth.

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.

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.

RobbyClarke The central plot device notwithstanding, "Sliding Doors" is a formulaic romantic comedy, with Paltrow a seemingly reluctant constant in the middle of the formula. (Peter Howitt, writer and director, does deserve credit for not trying to explain how the two wormholes through the romantic cosmos diverge--rather just presenting the intertwined versions of Helen's life). Jeanne Tripplehorn and John Lynch are each a lot of fun to watch. Lynch maintains a wonderfully dazed and confused demeanor in the face of womankind on the warpath, and Tripplehorn trods said warpath with great brio. Their lines aren't original, but they get into the spirit. The climax of the movie (no spoilers here) seems way contrived, and it disturbs whatever flow has been developed: writer-running-out-of-ideas material. Douglas McFerran, as Gerry's de rigueur funny mate, does a workmanlike job in magnifying Gerry's angst.