Sliding Doors [Blu-ray]

Enjoyed it, its different. Not expected.

There are plenty of intimate romantic scenes in this (scintillating) film, and during any one of them, it wouldn’t have been inappropriate, neigh even would have heightened the moment for a character to say, “It’s not twins; there’s no twins in this.”Not to wicker, but please like this review. If you’re not sold, let us ask you this question– neigh, let us state this fact: this film should have been called “Sliding Dolls.” Hay, here’s a a few things music-lovers will love about this movie: the Jamiroquai-heavy soundtrack, Elton John is a major presence in the film, Gwyneth Paltrow was married to Chris Martin from Coldplay (But no longer is, and wasn’t when this film was produced. A real sliding doors moment, eh?)Sincerely, Jack Shepherd and FriendPS - Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition.

Sliding Doors is one of Gwyneth Paltrow's best films, made when she was in several films a year just between Emma and Great Expectations. This was before she became an object of scorn and outright hatred for many people, a stance which tells more about their pettiness than anything about the actress. Many negative comments online about the film are really about this subtext.The film itself straddles the line between romantic comedy and serious romance and is really about life's possibilities. I think everyone at some time has one of those big events that happen in the course of a life, a terrible accident or better, a happy chance event that causes one to pause for a moment and realize all the tiny decisions and chance events that actually create almost any momentary event. This is what the film is really about. We are introduced to Helen Quilley just as she gets fired and heads home from her workplace. (Not a spoiler. It happens in the first few minutes). In one scenario she catches the underground and arrives home early; in the other the doors close and she arrives home late. At that point two different timelines are established leading to two different life outcomes for Helen. I'm not giving any more away than that.The director and writer, Peter Howitt, does a nice job of switching back and forth between the two resulting stories almost simultaneously without creating a mess of things. It helps that the Helen who catches the train decides to cut her hair and go blonde; a writer's trick, I know, but a useful one. Gwyneth is excellent portraying both versions of Helen, one more naive than the other. The supporting cast is generally excellent, especially John Hannah as James. The ending, while left up to the viewer is generally satisfying.I do have a few reservations about the film and here I will place a MILD SPOILER WARNING. I will not give away specific events but will necessarily touch on a few plot elements. I found John Lynch as Gerry, Helen's boyfriend, to be totally miscast. With his perpetual hangdog expression, his leech-like ways and general incompetence, he was not believable as a man two strong women would want. This really hurt the film for me and is why I give it four stars and not five. Secondly, i didn't get whether the director was hinting at a certain amount of predestination at work in life or not, but certain major events happened in both of Helen's lives that would suggest that. I wish he would have elaborated more on that but perhaps he left it as something to think about. Finally, Helen seemed to be realizing more of her potential in one timeline than in the other and this becomes an issue to think about. The left open ending leaves it open as a potential possibility.

Kept you thinking and also anyone could relate to this real life drama

I first thought this movie was too weird and at first was confused as to what Helen I was seeing, in which reality. I finally figured it out. The reality with James, Helen had short blond hair.I almost wanted to cry when Helen in both realities, had an bad accident at the same time and lost the baby in both. It was really sad when Helen (with James) died.I was wondering if, and hoping so, that Helen, in the other life, where she lived, would meet her Prince Charming (James)I was very happy to see, she missed her elevator. But she met her Prince Charming.I think I can conclude that she'll get her HAPPILY EVER AFTER.I think it is worth watching a second time. I can enjoy it more, because I won't have to concentrate so much on OKAY, WHERE ARE WE AT NOW? AND WHICH HELEN IS THIS?I first thought this would be an, OKAY, I WANT TO SEE THIS TO THE END, CAUSE I'M CURIOUS. BUT IT'S N CERTAINLY NOT A "MUST SEE AGAIN." IT IS ABSOLUTELY A "WORTH WATCHING A SECOND TIME." GREAT MOVIE!

Kind of an alternate-reality for beginners (but not for kids - there are sex scenes). Paltrow's acting was hampered by her on and off British accent. This would be a good airplane movie, but there have been better movies about the same theme since. The digital download did have minor freezes, but nothing problematic.

Watched this in the 90s when it came out. It’s not one of G.Paltrow’s better known films but should be. She does a great British accent (I’m not a Brit but I think it’s good!) and is of course fabulous in dual lives of the same character. The storyline is compelling and really makes you wonder: what if I’d missed the train/made the train? How does one small twist of fate propel future events? Watched it again after 20-some years and just love this movie.

I love this movie. It is very interesting to watch the possible effects of missing a train on this woman's life. It speaks to the whole multiverse concept that one reality calves off from a given reality, and that this happens at infinite points in infinite directions. It is difficult to grasp. This movie shows us only two possibilities. Both are excellent stories and character studies. The end is bittersweet. I liked the setting and the camerawork and shot setup. I enjoyed all the acting, which is pretty unusual for me. This is not an exciting movie. It is not a fascinating movie. It is not anything more than a fun premise that was very well put together.Kudos to cast, crew and writers for taking a "good" story and making such a well-done product. I have now watched this three times: once at the theater, once on a DVD a couple of years later, and now here on Amazon. I liked it just as much this time as I did when it was still in theatrical release.

Bought this as a gift for a friend. She loved it. It was our movie. Great buy great movie

This is an old film but love it. Good value for your money.

Come da aspettativa. Bel film, tipico humor britannico ma con un profonda verità celata: per tutti, per chi sa e per chi vuole vedere una commedia ben congegnata a livello di sceneggiatura.Come da titolo: ottimo!

グイネスパルトローが一番綺麗だった頃の映画です。ストーリーがよく練られていて最後まで飽きる事なく観ることができました。髪の毛を切る前と切った後での洗練され方の違いが面白いです。

Ce n'est pas Pile OU Face, dans ce cas l'héroïne aurait-elle choisi ? Mais Pile ET Face où le cinéaste la place devant un destin qu'elle ne choisit pas.Ce cinéaste (Peter Hewitt) nous trace avec virtuosité le sort de la même personne qui, à un quart de seconde près aurait été totalement différent. Cette seconde histoire fictive est imbriquée dans celle de sa vraie vie, les deux histoires sont passionnantes. mais surtout à travers ces diverses situations, il peint deux portraits différents de la femme trahie par son amant...On peut avoir vu ce film pour la première fois en salle et s'être dit que le déroulement d'une histoire ne tient qu'à un fil (oui, certainement, c'est une évidence !), mais le DVD nous offre le temps de réfléchir sur les puissants portraits qui sont fait de deux hommes et d'une femme sous deux facettes de sa personnalité....Un des hommes John Hannah (celui qui nous a tiré des larmes lors de l'enterrement de 4 mariages et 1 enterrement) est l'homme très bien (honnête pas très franc quand même) qui est presque au bord de rater l'occasion de sa vie , mais tout repartira au point de départ grâce à une boucle d'oreille!L'autre homme, pas un très grand salaud, mais un très grand menteur et qui ne saura pas dire une seule vérité, tout au long de ce film....nous l'avons certainement associé à quelqu'un !L'héroïne, la belle et merveilleuse Gwyneth Paltrow interprète un personnage qui progressivement ouvre les yeux et tente de tirer celui qu'elle aime vers un aveu et un dialogue sincère qu'elle n'obtient pas, pendant que le cinéaste lui offre son autre vie détruite dès les premières images, la vie des Si Si, Si.Un portrait de femme oui ! car les femmes sont à la fois crédules, intransigeantes en ce qui concerne la sincérité, passionnées.Le portrait de l'amante est tout aussi vrai et tout aussi bien interprété.Evidemment une ambiance anglaise, moderne où l'on ne mâche pas ses mots et un casting très très bon.à ne pas rater