In “Changing Lanes,” directed by Roger Michell, a seemingly mundane incident escalates into a gripping battle of wits and morality between two strangers from different walks of life. Gavin Banek (played by Ben Affleck) is a wealthy, ambitious attorney rushing to file crucial legal documents. Doyle Gipson (played by Samuel L. Jackson) is a recovering alcoholic trying to maintain custody of his children. Their paths collide in a fender bender on a New York City highway, setting off a chain of events that tests their integrity and challenges their values.

As Banek and Gipson navigate the fallout from the accident, they become embroiled in a series of retaliatory acts driven by pride, revenge, and desperation. Banek accidentally leaves behind a crucial file, jeopardizing a multimillion-dollar real estate deal, while Gipson misses a court appointment crucial to his custody case. Both men are faced with ethical dilemmas that force them to confront their own flaws and reconsider their priorities.

As the day progresses, Banek and Gipson engage in a high-stakes game of one-upmanship, each trying to outmaneuver the other in a bid to salvage their respective futures. Their actions have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only themselves but also their loved ones and colleagues. Along the way, they confront issues of privilege, justice, and redemption, ultimately leading to a dramatic confrontation that forces them to confront the consequences of their choices.