Makes a great statement

Rating: 9/10 (2 February 2012)

Paul Haggis weaves a spellbinding tale of sadness and disrespect for people who don't know each other. Cultural differences and fear drive snooty Jean Cabot (Sandra Bullock) to demand her door locks be changed again in the morning as the Hispanic locksmith works within earshot on the Cabot's last door. The protective shell around Jean Cabot is her mansion of a home. Even her pretend friends don't come to her rescue. Six intertwined stories take place in Los Angeles, CA. involving police officers who become hardened (Matt Dillon), Persian store owners, a black detective struggling to keep his family together, an upper class, black movie director, and a pair of thugs who seem to be on the edge of knowing right from wrong. Excellent cinematography and suspense keep the film moving forward. Camera angles help separate the stories by pointing way up in the sky, or shooting down from a very high point. Costumes and vehicles make the characters very believable. The director's wife, Christine (Thandie Newton) is always seen in designer clothes and high heels. She seems to have a shell around her keeping her from really bonding with anyone, but trying to get closer to her husband. The actor (Ryan Phillippe) who plays office Tom Hansen, seems genuinely concerned about people. The shell around officer Hansen keeps him from bonding with other officers. As the new guy he still wants to give people a chance before pouncing on them like his partner does. Nice guy locksmith, Daniel (Michael Pena) gives his protective shell to his daughter who is afraid of bullets. The timing and editing in this movie is very different from any other movie I have seen. After seeing this movie and the outstanding performances of actors like Don Cheadle and Thandie Newton, you can't help but ask yourself what the world would be like if people would just deal with circumstances, help each other out, and completely disregard skin color.