Directed by:
Paul HaggisCinematography:
J. Michael MuroComposer:
Mark IshamCast:
Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, William Fichtner, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Thandiwe Newton, Ryan Phillippe (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Crash uses a sophisticated, layered structure to tell the stories of a multi-racial group of characters in contemporary LA. As their lives inter-connect through a sequence of events around a car accident, we see their prejudices, tensions and hopes...and how tough yet uplifting life in the 'melting pot' can be. (Pathé Distribution UK)
Videos (2)
Reviews (11)
There are two free seats on the bus, one of them is next to a white guy, the other is next to someone with brown skin. Where would you sit? This film answers this and similar questions, hinting at the circumstances that lead to them. Is it racism or avoiding a risk from fears based on previous negative experiences? An often unnecessary but quite logical price of mixing nations together.
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The mirror reflecting contemporary America is perhaps angled in a way so as to provide the most effective reflection, but the whole thing is so believable that it's hard to resent it for that. Haggis's minimalist form achieves the best effect, which is an emotional attack on the viewer. Simple camera work, no directorial gimmicks or excesses, subtle music by Mark Isham, and above all, strong content that, in its own way, lacks a unified plot but instead fragments into a complex mosaic of individual human destinies and leaves an incredibly powerful, realistic, and human impact. Moreover, the strong cast elevates the quality of the film even higher. Still, I can't help but bring up one name - Don Cheadle. He is perhaps unfairly overlooked as an actor, but he proved here that he belongs to the absolute top in his field and that he has no issues taking on any role. Coincidences may not exist, but after watching Crash, one can successfully question that notion.
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Crash is perhaps the most honest (and most self-critical) cinematic depiction of a country’s problems. That is probably because Paul Haggis is a sensitive Canadian and is thus able to reflect the environment in which he lives as an expat better than someone who was born there. The film takes a broader view than, for example, 21 Grams, dramatically linking the life paths of several protagonists as it follows their stories from a greater distance without connecting them to a powerful motif. However, it is still emotionally powerful with many strong moments that remain in your memory. It doesn’t judge anyone, nor does it divide the characters into good and evil, instead depicting them as vulnerable beings controlled by dark forces. “You think you know who you are?”
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I'm not a big fan of movies where multiple stories intertwine. But here, I don't even mind and the individual stories seemed complete. I felt the most emotion when Thandie Newton was being pulled out of the crashed car. But I was also touched by the fates of the other characters. I was really on edge at some points. Otherwise, I was amazed by the great music and unique atmosphere for most of the film. The film lived up to my expectations, yet I won't give it 5 stars. In the beginning, some parts were a bit boring.
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Find strength, courage, and a clear mind. And let yourself get caught up in the clash. It's harder than it seems, because you might have to overcome some prejudices. Not necessarily the racial ones that Paul Haggis talks about, but purely cinematic ones. It requires rising above contrivance, incredibility, or potential calculation. This creative team certainly isn't aiming for that. There were times when I couldn't find a single wrong word to say about Crash, thanks to its sincerity and persuasiveness, and even though I now understand that everything fits together perhaps a bit too easily and not all the storylines are masterfully told, even ten years after its sensational Oscar triumph, it remains painfully relevant and timeless. The actors, the script, the perfectly captivating yet unobtrusive music, and one of the most flawless scenes I have ever seen, "I'll protect you", are responsible for that. And it's a scene that nobody who has seen the film will forget.
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