S is for Sliding Doors

Internet Movie Database entry

The eagle-eyed among you will notice Sliding Doors is a film. Well yes, yes it is. But it's also a film that I wish I'd written, and therefore it counts as inspiration.

The story takes two very distinct paths after Helen tries to catch a Tube. In one reality she catches the Tube; in the other, she misses it.

From this relatively small incident, Helen's life completely changes in both realities - one in a postive way, the other less so. What makes this such a great story is the ending. It pretty much sums up my philosophy of life. But I'm not sure I want to spoil it. If you've seen the film, you'll know. If you haven't, it would be so cool if you check it out - especially as it has John Hannah at his sexiest!

This plot device would be difficult to manage in prose. In the film, Helen has her hair cut in one of the realities, so immediately the viewer knows where they are. Alternate realities are abound in fiction, but usually taking a significant event and imagining how the world would be if the opposite had happened. To do both in the one film/book would take a lot more planning than I think I could manage!