“Changing Lanes” deserves to be on Kurt Brokaw’s list of “The 10 Best Films About Alcoholism & Addiction” (Sept/Oct). Although I am a recovering addict still very new to AA’s twelve step program, it seemed to me the depiction of Samuel Jackson’s alcoholic character and his sponsor (played by William Hurt) resonated with truth.

I’m so happy I stumbled onto the last two thirds of this film on TV recently. I had enjoyed watching the movie when it first came out – a good suspenseful story with good actors. But in my initial viewing I hadn’t fully appreciated the extraordinary intelligence and integrity that is in every frame of “Changing Lanes.” Writing, Directing, Editing, Acting, Casting – every choice made by the creative team renders eloquent service to this story without resorting to the shorthand of mind-numbing clichés. It’s a timeless story about two individual men who come to the brink of an abyss and must accept responsibility for the fact that they were not being driven to destruction by unseen forces, but are staring at potential oblivion because of the choices they have made.

I immediately rented the movie to see it once more start-to-finish, and I know I will savor the experience of seeing it again and again. Specific scenes like the Affleck/Peet meeting and the Jackson/Staunton confrontation may serve to illustrate why I believe the film is a cut above the rest and deserves to be watched for decades to come. But it’s the wholeness of the project that I so admire, right down to the final frames. The conceit of “Changing Lanes” has played out on many levels but we and the characters implicitly acknowledge we are unsure of the ultimate destination. The film showed characters at a crossroads; the story’s resolution can only play out one day at a time.

Incidentally, I am almost as happy to have discovered this newspaper as I was to run across the film. It’s a contemporary friend I can carry in my purse.

Gratefully yours,

Maralyn J.

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I read Lesley Logan’s article “Galloping Hobbyhorses” in Together’s July/August issue. It was so good to read about exactly what I’ve been struggling with….filling the void after putting down the drink. I think that this emptiness was a huge part of my relapse. These days I have taken on so many things, even though it isn’t recommended, because it really helps me to feel connected in the world. I started teaching drama, I joined a theater company and I’m going to start hopefully competing in a salsa group soon. These things have really saved me. Thanks for putting it into words.

I want your paper on a regular basis. How do I do that?
Cassie

Dear Cassie:

Thank you for your letter and good luck with your sobriety. You can subscribe to Together on our website at www.together.us.com or fill out and send us the subscription form on page23.

Nancy