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 (1)
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)
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Reviews (12)
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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Paul Haggis is an incredible talent, hIs script for Million Dollar Baby was fantastic and, after a short time, he repeats his performance and twice so. His direction is brilliant as well, and thanks to him, Crash is one of the best films of the year. The mosaic-like structure of the story is very similar, for example, to 21 Grams, but here it doesn't lose any of its attractiveness or power and forces the viewer to think about every scene that unfolds. The visually cold stylization of dark L.A. is a sure bet, just like the handheld camera.
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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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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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Overall, pretty ordinary stories of ordinary people (read typical Yanks of all three races), but they are presented with quite good directorial skill and interesting work and narrative style, making Crash an engaging film that can grab and not let go. There is only one point and fairly simple, there is more or less no story, but the A-list cast and the director's clear goal of showing the viewer an ordinary American day, along with the clearly established rules between whites and blacks, make for an enjoyable two hour film that makes you sweat at times.
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