Los Angeles Smacked Upside the Face

Rating: 7/10 (22 March 2009)

Paul Haggis' "Crash" is an insulting picture. It seeks to say something meaningful about racism run rampant in Los Angeles. Did somebody put something in the water? Something that only a Los Angeles snowfall could wipe away? Nearly every character in the film is motivated by ignorant, bigoted instincts. Things get started with a car crash and a carjacking - with people of different ethnic groups colliding get it? The first real grabber occurs when two carjackers (Ludacris & Larenz Tate) draw guns and jack a car - not very shocking, but these two don't impress you as carjackers which could be part of the point, or not...
A more shocking scene has two policeman (Matt Dillon & Ryan Phillippe) pulling over a couple for lollipopping in their automobile. The wife (Thandie Newton) who "went down" is roughly "felt up" by the abusive cop (Dillon), while her husband (Terrence Howard) is forced to watch on, apologetically. Later, the abusive cop is offered "salvation", in a laughably conceived scene. Elsewhere, a snooty (Sandra Bullock) socialite finds friendship and redemption in the arms of her housekeeper. A small businessman (Shaun Toub) man feels supernatural forces "saved" him from shooting a little girl dead. One of the carjackers becomes a martyr...
The only character with a story worth telling is the locksmith (Michael Peña) seeking a better life for his family; although, you can make out three or four good stories buried in the mix. The film has no focal character (it should have been the role played by Don Cheadle). It is obvious and lacking humor. And, its overdriven theme is outmoded and unfair. "Crash" drives a stake through its own heart by failing to realize its story is primarily about social and cultural class, rather than the loathsome thing hoisted up on the screen. So, why a relatively high ranking? The production, direction (Haggis), photography (J. Michael Muro), and performances are often excellent.
******* Crash (9/10/04) Paul Haggis ~ Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Thandie Newton, Terrence Howard