emotional drama - intense topic.

Rating: 10/10 (21 April 2013)

The successful and popular writer and producer Paul Haggis convinces with his second "Best Film"-Oscar-winning production "Crash" after "Million Dollar Baby". He implements the ethnic conflict in Los Angeles in an emotional action-packed film full of socio critical scenes. The viewer explores the racial attitudes and stereotypes which can not only be found in L.A., but also in most cities all over the world. Haggis has created a film which provocates to think about the conflicts everyone is involved in, but also is an intense criticism of the actual situation.
The action takes place in Los Angeles over a time lapse of one and a half days. The car-jacked couple, Rick Cabot (Brendan Fraser), the LA District attorney, and his wife Jean (Sandra Bullock), raises their stereotypical prejudice against others from different ethnic groups, for example their Latin house hold help or the Mexican-American locksmith Daniel Ruiz (Michael Peña). The car-jackers Anthony (Ludacris) and Peter (Larenz Tate) experience a mind change and a tragical event based on a misunderstanding through the prejudice of Officer Tom Hansen (Ryan Phillipe), who first seems to be the person who trusts most in strangers without stereotypes and criticizes his partner Officer John Ryan (Matt Dilon) in his racial action. There are also Cameron Thayer (Terrence Howard) and Christine Thayer (Thandie Newton), who are flagged down by Officer Ryan for no cause; and the African-American police detective Det. Graham Waters (Don Cheadle), who is having an affair with his Latin partner Ria (Jennifer Esposito). All characters are bound to their personal development, they are forced to reassess their thinking and point of view against other ethnic groups.
Haggis has created a breath-taking film, which illustrates the conflict between ethnic groups very well. He also makes use of different cinematic devices to let the viewer witness the 36 hours development and identify with the characters opinions and thoughts. The viewer undergoes the process of the mind changing of the various characters, which are all elaborated very detailed and represented in all of their attitudes. Many emotional situations are existing as well as thrilling and pulsating moments. The created atmosphere according to the mind changes does also develop and electrifies the audience. The whole production forces the viewer to also change his mind, as the topic is still actual and biases and racial assumptions are occurring all over the world at this very moment.
In conclusion, Haggis created a very critical film, which deals with a very actual and intense topic. He shows the development of the different characters very well and detailed as well as the various stereotypical thinkings which are existing in everyone. "Crash" can only be recommended because of its extensive elaboration and the implementation of the still current topic: racism.

by Fabian Finke and Kevin Kreker -