Sliding Doors

Writing in VL-11/98, K. Lee Benson called Sliding Doors “a charming romantic comedy that will be irresistible to anyone who has ever pondered their life and wondered, "What if…?" Gwyneth Paltrow, who has not been this winning onscreen since Emma, stars as Helen, who, in a fateful turn of events out of The Twilight Zone, lives separate but parallel lives after she races to catch a subway home. In one scenario, she just misses the train and therefore doesn’t catch her lover cheating on her. In the second, she makes the train, meets a charming passenger and arrives home to surprise her boyfriend mid-tryst. John Hannah steals his scenes as the Monty Python fanatic Helen meets on the train. In my own Sliding Doors scenario, I turn back time and do not cast Jeanne Tripplehorn, who gives a one-dimensional and overbearing performance as Helen’s nemesis. But this is still recommended for those looking for something completely different.” As part of Shout! Factory’s “Shout! Select” line, this “collector’s edition” of the film is presented with a decent transfer and a nice set of extras, including a new audio commentary by writer-director Peter Howitt, a feature-length behind-the-scenes documentary, and a shooting locations tour. A fine edition of this 1998 hit vehicle for the queen of goop, this is recommended. (R. Pitman)