Review of Sliding Doors (1998) by Blake P — 03 Jan 2014

Have you ever missed a bus and wondered what would have happened if you had taken it? Has there ever been a moment where an opportunity was given but you didn't take it? No matter who you are, there is no doubt that at least once or twice you've wondered how different your life would be if one little fragment of it was tweaked.

"Sliding Doors" is a romantic comedy, but it isn't a general one because it explores two realities, realized in the same way that I described earlier. In these two worlds, we see a young woman, Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow), star in two very different lives. In one, she is dating sleazy womanizer Gerry (John Lynch), and in the other, she catches Gerry cheating on her and begins a relationship with the married James (John Hannah).

To give us a clearer understanding of which story is which, in the Gerry world Helen's hair is mousy, and in James', she looks like Mia Farrow. But hair color really isn't the biggest of our worries, because "Sliding Doors" manages to be thought-provoking while still having the sweetness, sadness, and charm that a romantic comedy should.

The unique storytelling should feel like a gimmick, but it is delivered in such a fascinating manner that by the end of the film, we can't help but wonder if every single one of us has a different reality floating somewhere in the spectrum. Howitt directs with utter grace - with such a complex plot, easily things could turn into nonsensical muck. Instead, every scene is edited so well that they seem almost side by side, and even the little heartwarming moments aren't lost in space. The screenplay is clever, deftly balancing wit and drama while still managing to keep us up to date on everything.

The performances are even better - Paltrow, who at this point in her career was well-known but not quite yet the superstar she is today, is pitch-perfect, managing to nab our sympathy and attention while pulling off a completely convincing British accent. Hannah is charming and likable, while in contrast, Lynch never for a minute lets us forget what a truly awful person Gerry is. And Tripplehorn manages time and time again to let us hate her guts, as the snarling, manipulative "other woman".

"Sliding Doors" may be a bit forgotten these days, but it's a romantic comedy that deserves a look simply because it takes the conventions of the genre and makes them interesting once again. It makes one nostalgic of the '90s, as it shows a time where romantic comedies could still be good.