Review of Sliding Doors (1998) by Shelton L — 19 May 2010

Imagine if you caught that train you did not think you were going to, how different would your life be? That's the plot of Sliding Doors, which sees lovely Gweneth Paltrow, take the lead as the Helen's. two different women, (though their really the same woman) who are dealing with the pressures of infidelity, finding jobs and looking for love. Ultimately sliding doors reminds us that life is complicated especially as so much of our life is beyond our own control. The littlest actions can have the most profound changes on ones entire life.

Personally I really enjoy playing the 'what if' game. Mainly because of my limit understanding of quantum mechanics and the multiple universe theory I am under the apprehension that there is not only the possibility but the probability that anything one imagines could feasible not only be possible but most likely is real in some far of and distant galaxy some where. (Ah the joys of infinite space and infinite probability.) So in some other crazy universe Sliding Door's lead could have been played by some one else like, Madonna or I could now be the King of France, (which would be awesome as I would bath on in champagne and eat little mini slices of cheese of tiny plates served to me by robots.).

But back to sliding doors... Ms. Paltrow gives us a wonderful performance as Helen. Its very interesting to watch her as she effortlessly slides between the two unique characters. Thought they are fundamentally the same Helen, there is a huge difference to the nature of the characters after the sliding doors incident. Both of them maintain the same steely resolve and determination to succeed but given the different situations they find themselves in their actions differ greatly. Furthermore what I found enjoyable about this film was that it was at times relatively surprising. Though the basic framework after the initial time meddling moment was rather straightforward, the juxtaposition of the two different lives gave the entire film a unique and enjoyable flavor. Defiantly worth a watch if you have not seen it.