The benchmark for filmmaking

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2019)

Crash deservedly earned the Oscar for Best Picture, and it is not hard to see why: the intricate storyline, stellar characters, and complimentary soundtrack allows this film to effectively capture the inherent racism present in society, set across the sprawling backdrop of LA. Rarely can films make you feel as if the scenes depicted have enough realism to them, but Crash bridges the gap between comedy, drama and believable emotion.
Casting in this film is exemplary; Michael Peña and Don Cheadle are the standouts, both giving lifetime performances representing minorities disadvantaged purely by their background. The former is the heart of the film's most emotional storyline, meriting a film in and of itself, a good-natured locksmith stereotyped as a gang member. Cheadle's character is more complex, a person torn between his loyalty to his job and preventing prejudices from altering his perception of others. A special (albeit surprising) mention must be given to Ludacris, a small-time crook who waxes lyrical of the injustices in society, whilst also stealing cars and making his own contentious decisions.
Overall, Crash delivers twists unlike many other films can, and deservedly earns a rating as high as this. Whilst some still maintain other films deserved Best Picture over Crash (its class also featured highly-acclaimed Brokeback Mountain and Capote), to me no other films have hit emotional notes as brilliantly as this.