Crash is head on to greatness!

Rating: 10/10 (4 November 2005)

Director Paul Haggis' "Crash" is a big cinematic hit! It is no accident that moviegoers and critics alike are voicing their positive opinions of "Crash". The film centers on several subplots of Los Angeleans during a 48-hour time span. The story lines eventually merge and collide with issues of jealousy, morality, benevolence, conflict, libel, corruption, and on the forefront: race. The characters that drive "Crash" include: a district attorney & his domineering wife, a noble police officer & his Latin hottie partner/lover, a racist cop & his ethical rookie partner, a Puerto Rican locksmith & his devoted family, a successful African-American television director & his outspoken wife, a Hindu shop owner & his concerned family, and a couple of garrulous thugs. The performances by the actors which portray the aforementioned multicultural characters were bravura. This stellar "crash unit" includes Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Ryan Phillipe, Sandra Bullock, Thandie Newton, Terrence Dashon Howard, Brandon Fraser, and Jennifer Esposito. Dillon, Howard, and Newton should crash their way to supporting acting Oscar nominations. In fact, The Oscar red carpet should already be designed with a welcome "Matt" for Dillon. It is the best performance of his restless and underrated acting career. Writer-Director Paul Haggis, who also scribed "Million Dollar Baby", developed a powerful cerebral film in "Crash". His efforts should be commended during awards season for both direction & screen writing. Or better stated, I doubt that Haggis will have to crash most of the upcoming movie awards ceremonies. So get your "rear-end" up and "head-on" to collide with the cinematic brilliance of "Crash". ***** Excellent