Crash is a socially compelling film where Paul Haggis's portrayal of cultural diversity and the communication is profoundly moving and frustrating.

Rating: 8/10 (18 March 2011)

Crash is a socially compelling film where Paul Haggis's portrayal of cultural diversity and the communication is profoundly moving and frustrating. It is masterful compilation of many different cultures and diversity that make it a, "Must See." It takes place in Los Angeles, first with an accident where Graham (Don Cheadle) who is an African-American detective reveals the symbolic meaning of "Crash". Soon after there is a situation, where a white racist cop (Matt Dillon) and partner (Ryan Phillippe) pull over a law abiding African-American couple (Thandie Newton and Terrence Howard) this wrongful assault leads to inappropriate actions that leave the un-expecting married couple in disarray. Then with a glimpse of Peter (Larenz Tate) and Anthony (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges), two black men walking down the street debating about the racial inequality that they experience, is when they decide to carjack a SUV that belongs to the District Attorney (Brendan Fraser)and his wife Jean (Sandra Bullock). This incident ignites a rage of racial terror in the district attorneys wife. Daniel (Michael Pena) is a quiet, polite Hispanic locksmith who is just trying to make a living for himself and his daughter and seems to be receiving racial aggression from everyone. First Jean when he has to change her locks, then a Persian family who loses everything in a store robbery that he had tried to prevent by replacing their locks and suggesting to the family they needed to replace the door. Graham (Don Cheadle) the African-American detective is looking for his lost little brother, when corruption rears it ugly head in the department. There are many different cultural situations taking place that brings out Haggis's theme for "Crash" and how it centers on communication between different races. The film displays how a mixed culture communicates and reacts with disrespect and ignorance, and immediately resorts to using hatred and violence as a way of communicating with their fellow man. This lack of respect and understanding usually ends with disastrous results. The setting adds to the films element of suspense because of the intense racial interaction and hatred that LA is riddled with. Using LA as the setting offers just the right mix to make the film feel real and alive. Crash is a montage of many different cultural backgrounds that balances out to generate a feeling of realism of what each of these people deal with on a day-to-day basis. Haggis uses many different technique of flash back and a crisscross structure to relay the feeling of the family's frustrations, anger and fears of how to effectively communicate and trust other cultures. He is able to show how most of the people involved in the film are not racist but have become a product of their unfortunate environment. Haggis is able to expertly juggle the extreme emotional effect with a sense of realism that keeps the viewer totally involved. "Crash" is not an easy film to accept, it brings to light many racial situations that are not accepted in society. With a theme, that centers itself around communication between different cultures in it ugliest form. However, it is wonderful production of realism and issues that many would like to think do not exist. This movie is a definite must see. I encourage everyone to view this film with an open mind.