This one cuts hard and deep.

Rating: 8/10 (14 May 2005)

Paul Haggis' "Crash" is a movie that makes us ask the worst questions about ourselves and our own racist inclinations. Where do these thoughts come from? Are these thoughts inborn or are they learned? A beautiful ensemble piece, Crash examines modern day Los Angeles in a 36 hour period where several events have the lives of about 15 characters converging. There is no performance in this film that is wasted. No actor doesn't pull his or her own weight. I won't go into deep character details. I'll just call out a few standouts.
First, there's Matt Dillon, who in my mind is a lock for a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for his role as a racist cop. His villain is so multi-dimensional, that you hate him, empathize with him and identify with him. Superbly acted, Dillon never misses a beat.
Don Cheadle also delivers a great, subtle performance that may earn him a lead Oscar nomination simply because he clocks more screen time than Dillon. It seems that Cheadle, a great black actor who isn't showy or cocky like his peers, is finally getting the respect he deserves as an actor. Oh, how I would have loved to see the dignified and humble Don Cheadle accept the best actor Oscar over Jamie loud-full-of-himself Foxx. That would have been a great day for black cinema.
There has been a lot of talk about Sandra Bullock's fine performance. And it was a good performance. I was surprised how easily Sandra Bullock abandoned her cheeky, comedic stupidity for this role and transformed herself into this largely plausible and detestable character. However, she will not get nominated for an Oscar. That I can almost guarantee. If she were to be nominated for an Oscar, it would be in the best supporting actress category and two actresses from the same movie are rarely nominated in the same category. (RARELY - It has happened) I say all this because Thandie Newton, whose performance is second only to Matt Dillon, is sure to garner this actress her first nomination and maybe even a win (it's too early to tell. I can't really see any supporting female players topping this performance.) Thandie Newton's performance as a violated wife of a black socialite is also multi-layered. Now, my brother has said that he dislikes roles where people are yelling and carrying on. He says that it's too easy. Is it? I don't think so. Showing gut-wrenching emotion is difficult because you have to straddle that line between believability and maudlin. Some people can do it. Some people can. Newton can.
This movie may garner nominations for director, picture and screenplay, but I'm loath to say definitively at this point, simply because of mixed reviews from critics. Had it been released a little later, it would have had a greater chance. However, I still have a feeling that "Crash" linger in the minds of Academy voters and be recognized for the bold, standout film that it is.