Directed by:
Paul Haggis
Starring:
Don Cheadle ………. Graham
Matt Dillon ………. Officer Ryan
Ryan Phillippe ………. Officer Hanson
Terrence Howard ………. Cameron
Thandie Newton ………. Christine
Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges ………. Anthony
Sandra Bullock ………. Jean
Larenz Tate ………. Peter
Brendan Fraser ………. Rick
Michael Pena ………. Daniel
Shaun Toub ………. Farhad
Jennifer Esposito ………. Ria
The Movie
You think you know who you are? You have no idea.
-Matt Dillon as Officer Ryan
Revolving around a group of individuals over the coarse of a normal day in the city of Los Angeles, Crash takes a look at people of different faiths, race, up bringing and personal views. But what we really get to see is the insecurity each has towards others that are unlike themselves.
The movie is strung together by loosely connected events that intersect one another, each more enticing than the last. It’s built up around seven smaller stories involving two young black men, two street officers who don’t see eye to eye, an African American film producer who can’t seem to break stereotypes, two detectives who are in a relationship together, a Persian shop owning family whom are being classed as terrorists ever since 9/11, and a Latino man just trying to support his family. By the time the end credits roll, none of the characters are in positions you imagined they would be in, they take turns in their life you’d never expect.
The above description doesn’t do much justice to what the movie turns out to be, but it does give you enough of an idea of what’s going on without spoiling the experience. As all of us are taught in school every action has an equal or opposite reaction, and this movie uses that logic and applies it in a way that show how the choices we make in life can effect the lives of those around us, even people we’ll never know. Crash is a movie that after you finish watching makes you take a step back and re-evaluate parts of yourself you never imagined you would have to question.
Is it wrong to assume Chinese women can’t drive? Is it wrong to think just because someone is black they can hot wire a car? Or that any middle eastern person is automatically a terrorist? Or that just because a Latino man has tattoos he’s in a gang? Of coarse the answer to all of those is yes, it’s wrong to prejudge someone based on their appearance. This is a film that sparks debate and makes you ask questions, only with movies like this is when the hard questions get asked and it forces answers to be made. Or to atleast creates an educated discussion. It takes a no holds barred straight to the point in your face approach looking at racism, prejudice and intolerance that still plague us as a society. It’s uncomfortable at times to watch but that’s the point of it all.
Anyone that read the screenplay wanted to be a part of the making of this movie. Crash is just one of those films where actors gravitate towards, it’s filled with demanding and challenging roles. Only due to scheduling conflicts it was a luck of the draw for just about all involved. Everyone cared so passionately about it they took scale wages to make sure the movie was financially able to be made. Each person involved has a stand out performances but because the movie follows the events and not so much a central character we aren’t given any ‘one’ person to latch on to. Still it’s impossible to not see the talent put out by the entire cast.
The movie may have no central focus from a character stand point but the overtone and atmosphere and message are what drive the movie. It’s different for everyone watching, there’s a different person for every viewer, ones you relate to or ones you sympathize for. None of the characters in Crash are fully developed but we are given enough of a background for them that when they’re confronted by their own ignorance we understand the significance of it. It’s the sum of it’s parts that are what make this a well rounded movie.
Director Paul Haggis had written strictly for TV from 1975 up until about 2000 where he tried breaking out in the movie industry. Crash is his first written and directed feature film and along with Million Dollar Baby which he penned the screenplay adaptation for, with the work and attention to detail we’ve seen in those I’m sure we can put behind the fact he was co-creator of Walker Texas Ranger. Perhaps the greatest comment that could be given to Mr. Haggis is that what he wrote doesn’t feel written, in the sense that what is put in front of us on screen never makes us question its believability.
Distributed by Lions Gate who are no strangers to controversy, after all they were the only studio who would pick up and distribute Fahrenheit 9/11 are quickly becoming the next United Artist the way they show no fear of allowing artists to create their own works of passion enforcing very few rules upon them. Crash is one of the most thought provoking movies of the year and it’s justified by being crowned the best motion picture of 2005.
Rating: 9.5/10
The Video
(Presented in 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen)
Intentionally shot with a grainy image, Crash is a bit mixed with it’s video presentation. The cinematography is shot beautifully and transitioned very well on the DVD. Still the grain while there for a purpose at times compliments the films mood and I imagine that was the designed effect they wanted to give off from it, but at other times it can get quite annoying.
The Audio
(English 5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 Mono)
You won’t be shaking your room with this audio selection that’s for sure. With Crash the diologue is what matters and comes out perfect in the front speakers. Rear speakers are non-existent and the bass will only kick in when the soundtrack does. Still the film isn’t about ambiance, so the audio here does it just fine.
The Extras
Feature Length Commentary – Director and co-writer Paul Haggis is joined by co-writer Robert Moresco and actor Don Cheadle on the commentary and it stays very dry. There are lulls for the first third of the movie, the guys are more involved and interested in watching the movie than commenting on it. When they do actually share some thoughts on what’s happening in the movie and tell stories on getting it made the track becomes much more appealing. It’s pretty easy to get lost in the movie and completely forget the fact your listening to a commentary track and miss out on important things being discussed.
DVD introduction by director Paul Haggis – A 15 second video thanking viewers for taking the time to watch his film. Why they even bothered to include this is beyond me, it’s over before it even begins.
Behind The Scenes – This is a ten minute featurette that is your garden variety behind the scenes piece. Paul comments on how the whole idea for Crash came together. It’s everyone complimenting one another and sharing their personal thoughts on the film, they all seem honest in what they’re saying. Had this run longer and not felt so cookie cutter it would have been more interesting. Sadly it just feels like standard EPK material.
Music Video – This is for the song “If I…” that was featured on the films soundtrack by Kansascali. Nice song and worth watching, but mostly filler.
Trailers – For Crash‘s soundtrack, Rize, High Tension, Beyond the Sea, Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Killing Words, and A Good Woman. Disappointing that of all the trailers they put in here they couldn’t add one for Crash itself.
Rating: 3/10
