Haggis Brings the Melting Pot to a Boil

Rating: 8/10 (13 October 2007)

A black detective barters to save his felon brother from life in prison. A white officer of the LAPD struggles with his dying father's HMO. A Hispanic locksmith works to keep his wife and daughter out of the dangerous neighborhood they've left behind. What do all of these people have in common? They are just a few characters in the three-time-Oscar-winning film entitled, Crash, who find themselves battling and, often simultaneously, contributing to the common racial prejudices that plague modern-day Los Angeles. While the theme is often force-fed at times, the powerful music, suspenseful plot, superb acting, thrilling cinematography and vivid character development make this a prized film of our time.
Writer and director Paul Haggis takes us on a roller-coaster ride of emotions from the disparity and anguish that each character experiences to their ultimate chance at redemption. For Officer John Ryan played by Oscar-nominated actor Matt Dillon, the story begins with a phone call to his father's health insurance company. He pleads with a black female representative who tells him they cannot help his father. Angry and frustrated, Dillon's character deliberately stops a car carrying a black husband and wife and gropes the woman. Her husband, a successful producer played by Terrance Howard, chooses to sit back and do nothing to preserve his reputation. At the same time, Officer Ryan's white partner serves as a disturbed onlooker, unwilling to take a stand against the injustice. Ryan later sums up the film when he tells him, "you think you know who you are you have no idea."
The theme of the film, though forced at times, is both simple and critical. We shouldn't judge those around us based on racial, sexual or any other prejudices. The characters in the film make this painfully obvious throughout their development. A previously judgmental black carjacker played by Ludicrous is given a wake-up call and a second chance. The once prejudice wife of the city's District Attorney finds an unlikely friend at a time when she needs one most. The theme applies to the network of characters whose lives eventually and profoundly "crash" into one another by story's end.
The choice of Haggis to use Christmas in Los Angeles as the film's setting is remarkably befitting, presenting a sort of ironic seasonal imagery throughout the story. While Christmas tends to carry with it the connotation of holiday cheer, Haggis challenges this by accompanying it with a slew of dismal events in a city that rarely sees snowfall. Also noteworthy is Haggis' choice to use a racially diverse city like Los Angeles and a notoriously racist organization like the LAPD to convey the theme. These examples of Haggis' creativity prove effective as characters from different backgrounds collide.
As with all great films, the music in Crash is moving and plot-appropriate. Music producer and composer Mark Isham takes hold of our spirits and doesn't let go. One particular example of this is shown through the gripping scene where the store owner stands before the locksmith, pointing a gun. This scene, together with the music, is so powerful it sends the proverbial chill down the spines of its audience. With Isham, composer of music from such films as Miracle, Bobby, and Oscar-nominated ¬A River Runs Through It, Crash will have you putting a hand over your heart (IMDB.com).
Another element of the film that adds to its tone is its abundance of great actors. Those not previously mentioned include Don Cheadle as the black detective, Jennifer Esposito as Ria, Brendan Fraser as the DA and Sandra Bullock as the DA's wife. Matt Dillon's portrayal of Officer Ryan is especially captivating. Rarely does a film come along that makes us truly feel and understand the characters and their situations. The convincing acting of such a stellar cast adds to the credibility of the film's message.
Lastly, what credibility does a film offer without realistic and creative cinematography? Steadicam operator and cinematographer James Muro makes us feel we are right there with the characters. Muro shines through Crash from his experience filming blockbuster hits such as Miami Vice, Titanic and Terminator 2 (IMDB.com). From the scene where Officer Ryan struggles to save the trapped woman from her burning car to the scene where snow finally comes to Los Angeles, Muro's camera work brings us to the action, once again, making the movie all the more effective.
There is little wonder why Crash is so highly acclaimed. Its iconoclastic theme begs us to learn to change. First-rate acting and dramatic music bring credibility to the already captivating storyline. Fresh cinematography creates realism and the crisp character development makes us sympathize. No other film makes us think more about how we treat others or how we give in to prejudice. Perhaps only in dire times of need do we disregard our differences and work together to save ourselves from peril.