There's nothing subtle about Crash.

Rating: 5/10 (30 January 2006)

I had heard and read from several sources that "Crash" was a great movie. I whole heartedly disagree with that conclusion. It is entertaining, just as is the television show "24". Entertaining, yet completely contrived. The writer/director, Paul Haggis, who also wrote the screenplay for the overrated "Million Dollar Baby" leaves little to the imagination and leaves the viewer being spoon fed pablum. Haggis essentially has a cast of characters who, in their own way, portray many of the stereotypical prejudices in American society. The circumstances of the movie are so unrealistic that they are almost a parody of what "Crash" seems to be attempting to showplace. Many of the scenes are predictable and the movie comes off as contrived. The characters are, as a whole, very unrealistic, especially the car-jacking duo and their pre-crime dialogue. Many of the characters come across as caricatures.
That some list this movie as the best of 2005 is completely laughable to me. If in order to enjoy a movie you need everything spelled out for you, Haggis' movies will tickle you pink. On the other hand, if you don't need to get hit over the head to understand a point being made, Haggis' writing will strike you as sophomoric. If the dialogue were just a little bit different, "Crash" could have been black comedy. If that were the case, I'd give it a higher rating.