The movie Crash is a story about human relationships.

Rating: 8/10 (12 December 2011)

The movie Crash is a story about human relationships and how the lives of several people cross paths during the period of 24 hours. From the start, we have preconceived notions as to how people will react in certain situations and this holds true for a little while. However, with just one word, one action, situations are turned around and characters grow. Although some characters in the story change for the better, others' lives are forever scarred. This movie contains racism, stereotypes, and prejudice that we can relate to in our own lives.
Some of the characters in this movie include Brendan Fraser as Rick Cabot and Sandra Bullock as Jean Cabot, a white District Attorney and his wife; Don Cheadle as Detective Waters, a black detective whose brother is missing and whose mother is addicted to drugs; and Matt Dillon as Officer Ryan, a racist white police officer taking care of his sick father. Additional notable characters include two young black thieves, Ludicrous as Anthony and Larenz Tate as Peter Waters; a Latino man, Michael Pena as Daniel; an Iranian shop owner, Shaun Toub as Farhad; and a wealthy black TV producer and his wife, Terrence Howard as Cameron and Thandie Newton as Christine. There are several other characters who make an appearance during the course of this film.
The movie begins in the present but flashes back 24 hours in an attempt to bring us to the emotional state of the present. Like Richard Curtis' Love Actually, throughout the movie we jump from story to story and then back again, sometimes overlapping each other. This is done so we can watch the changes taking place within the characters as they "crash" into and relate to each other. In addition, the sounds of several crashes and gun shots as well as the use of black screens are utilized to invoke suspense and fear from the audience. As the film is viewed, the audience is pulled into all of the feelings the characters portray including rage, anger, fear, relief, sadness, and grief.
All of us have had to relate to at least some of the issues employed in this film. Whether it is dealing with someone who is angry, being involved in an accident, or being the victim of a crime, we get to follow the characters in this film as they move through and deal with their emotions. Each character is changed by the end of the film. Some characters find the biggest problem within themselves, others learn that there are just some things they cannot change, while yet others have a little help from others to help them see the light.