You think you know who you are? No, who am I Hollywood?

Rating: 4/10 (26 September 2005)

What do you get when you have a superb cast, great acting, enchanting score, and no story? A racist propaganda film directly aimed at America.
I can see the decision room now.
Producers: "Paul we still don't have a story. We loved what you did with Million Dollar Baby as did the rest of California and New York, but we are knee deep in this and we don't have a script." Paul Haggis: "I got it! We are going to make a movie targeting America." Producers: "What do you mean?" Paul Haggis: "We can show America just how racist they really are. We will have the whites as the bad guys and everyone else as the good guys. The tagline will be: 'You think you know who you are. You have no idea.' And then we will tell them who they are in 1 hour and 53 minutes. And their eyes shall be open." Producers: "But Paul, hasn't that been played enough? I mean, I think American viewers are tired of Canadians telling them what they are." Paul Haggis: "But don't you see? This doesn't matter. All that matters is what the Academy will say." Isn't it true though? Another Hollywood "inspiring" film that has no connection with American's? Again we are to settle with a film that misses on so many levels.
Within the first half-hour it is obvious that every single white character in this movie is a bigot. This movie is one sided on so many levels I couldn't even keep track. The stereotypes used in this film are so exaggerated I lost all accountability with whatever the message the director was trying to portray.
Exactly what is this film trying to show? Is it that after 40 years of civil rights we are worse off now that when we were when we started? Is it that every white person has some degree of prejudice whether they know it or not? In this film I couldn't help to notice how the white racial innuendos aimed at blacks are serious and ignorant, but the black racial comments aimed at whites are jokes and punch lines. Example: Matt Dillon entire dialog vs. the conversation between the two black car jackers.
Unfortunately this movie enraged me more than enlightened me. Seeing that "Hollywierd" shows my race as a bunch of brainless, Klan, bullies couldn't help but turn me off to any more garbage this director has to dish.
If you must, watch. When you watch look for the subtle attacks on white America. I know who I am, if you need a movie to tell you who you are...I'm sorry.