Crash (A or 4/4 stars)
I'm rarely as excited as I was leaving the theater after watching 'Crash', a drama written & directed by Paul Haggis. 'Crash' offers a compelling, thoughtful look at racial issues in Los Angeles (make that 'everywhere'). Several stories interweave during a 48 hour period involving a myriad of connecting characters. This drama takes a strong look into the lives of lower, middle, & upper class people of all races. It asks us, 'Are you so sure YOU aren't the slightest bit racist, either?' Stubborn people may poo-poo the notion. But most people will catch their breath & realize in horror ... 'could this be me?' A few flaws are completely outweighed by this film's topical content, intensity, filming technique, and some superb performances by an ensemble cast of Hollywood's current greats & newcomers.
Graham Walters (Don Cheadle) is a police detective investigating what could be a racial homicide. He is having an affair with his Latina partner (Jennifer Esposito). They love each other, but she flips when he refers to her as 'white'. Graham finds himself in an unbearable situation as he identifies the murdered body along the highway. A Persian man (Shaun Toub) buys a gun to protect his vandalized shop. Jack Ryan (Matt Dillon) is a 17 yr. veteran LAPD officer who is training his idealistic partner (Ryan Phillipe). Jack crosses the line when he fondles a light-skinned black woman (Thandie Newton) during a traffic stop. Her husband, a well-to-do black man (Terrence Howard) lets this occur because he knows that passivity will keep him out of trouble.
All the while, the D.A., Rick (Brendan Fraser), and his snooty wife, Jean (Sandra Bullock), are carjacked by two 'supposed' thugs (Ludacris & Larenz Tate). She freaks and wants the locks changed in her house. But when locksmith, Daniel (Michael Pena), shows up to fix them, she becomes neurotic and assumes he and his gang buddies will attempt to burglarize, indefinitely. The list goes on & on. Nearly every character crosses paths with each other in volatile, cringe-inducing racial battles. Black vs. White, Black vs. Black, Asian vs. Black, Persian vs. Mexican, Mexican vs. White, etc. Inter-department racism, healthcare racism, societal racism, entertainment industrial racism, upper class vs. lower class racism, etc. Everything multi-ethnic issue is covered at face value; it's realistic and scary.
This film's great music score helps us feel a heavy mood. The cast is strong no matter where you look; you'll remember every single character. Matt Dillon is a stand-out as the bigot cop who is also taking care of his ailing father. Sandra Bullock jolted me with her ignorance. Then she startles me with her vulnerability in the end. Don Cheadle is amazing as the detective who has deals with his druggy mom and thieving brother. And Michael Pena's Daniel has the most stirring, disturbing, & beautiful scene in the film when his daughter is susceptible to imminent danger. Unfortunately, racism is ugly, dangerous, & practically insurmountable.
What's amazing about this film is how unique & unpredictable its construction is. Just when we stereotype 'the good guy', he'll struggle and do something horrifying in a later scene. And just when we think someone is inherently racist, a situation arises where they realize their shortcoming, overcome their fear, & become a most unlikely hero. Whether we like it or not, we're not in complete control of our most DORMANT thoughts and actions. Haggis shows that there is good & bad in every one of us. For every cause, there is an effect. We all know this already, but I bet you'll leave the theater talking about 'Crash' for a long time. The movie is ambitious, believable (even in the most implausible of situations), & undoubtedly moving.
Graham Walters (Don Cheadle) is a police detective investigating what could be a racial homicide. He is having an affair with his Latina partner (Jennifer Esposito). They love each other, but she flips when he refers to her as 'white'. Graham finds himself in an unbearable situation as he identifies the murdered body along the highway. A Persian man (Shaun Toub) buys a gun to protect his vandalized shop. Jack Ryan (Matt Dillon) is a 17 yr. veteran LAPD officer who is training his idealistic partner (Ryan Phillipe). Jack crosses the line when he fondles a light-skinned black woman (Thandie Newton) during a traffic stop. Her husband, a well-to-do black man (Terrence Howard) lets this occur because he knows that passivity will keep him out of trouble.
All the while, the D.A., Rick (Brendan Fraser), and his snooty wife, Jean (Sandra Bullock), are carjacked by two 'supposed' thugs (Ludacris & Larenz Tate). She freaks and wants the locks changed in her house. But when locksmith, Daniel (Michael Pena), shows up to fix them, she becomes neurotic and assumes he and his gang buddies will attempt to burglarize, indefinitely. The list goes on & on. Nearly every character crosses paths with each other in volatile, cringe-inducing racial battles. Black vs. White, Black vs. Black, Asian vs. Black, Persian vs. Mexican, Mexican vs. White, etc. Inter-department racism, healthcare racism, societal racism, entertainment industrial racism, upper class vs. lower class racism, etc. Everything multi-ethnic issue is covered at face value; it's realistic and scary.
This film's great music score helps us feel a heavy mood. The cast is strong no matter where you look; you'll remember every single character. Matt Dillon is a stand-out as the bigot cop who is also taking care of his ailing father. Sandra Bullock jolted me with her ignorance. Then she startles me with her vulnerability in the end. Don Cheadle is amazing as the detective who has deals with his druggy mom and thieving brother. And Michael Pena's Daniel has the most stirring, disturbing, & beautiful scene in the film when his daughter is susceptible to imminent danger. Unfortunately, racism is ugly, dangerous, & practically insurmountable.
What's amazing about this film is how unique & unpredictable its construction is. Just when we stereotype 'the good guy', he'll struggle and do something horrifying in a later scene. And just when we think someone is inherently racist, a situation arises where they realize their shortcoming, overcome their fear, & become a most unlikely hero. Whether we like it or not, we're not in complete control of our most DORMANT thoughts and actions. Haggis shows that there is good & bad in every one of us. For every cause, there is an effect. We all know this already, but I bet you'll leave the theater talking about 'Crash' for a long time. The movie is ambitious, believable (even in the most implausible of situations), & undoubtedly moving.