Shows No Mercy on the Plight of Racism

Rating: 10/10 (5 February 2006)

Today's society faces many problems. The root of many, if not most, of these problems stem from racism. Paul Haggis' "Crash" explores the root of these problems with no mercy, never giving justice to everyone's actions. Following the template of Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction," "Crash's" story is told over the course of 36 hours through the eyes of nearly fifteen people. All of these people are inter-connected with each other, directly or indirectly through their actions.
Beginning at a murder scene, "Crash" introduces you to detective/lovers Graham and Ria as they probe the crime scene where he discovers that Graham's younger brother was murdered. Following the template similar to "Pulp Fiction," we are left waiting to find out who did it and why he was killed.
"Crash" conveys a simple message that's easy to put in words, but difficult to follow: Equality is myth, let it not elude us forever. This is message is seen, but not followed, in the scene where Sandra Bullock and Brendan Fraser are carjacked. Right before the carjackers steal the car, their conversation includes many truths about the attitude of people towards African-Americans. Their comments are strong, but applicable to the attitude of people towards ethnic persons.
Matt Dillon's role as a racist cop is challenged when he saves a black woman from a car wreck. However, the night before, he pulls her and her husband over when he's searching her, he searches her inappropriately, but whose word will they believe: a police officer's, or a semi-drunk woman's? But with his change of heart in the car wreck, it is seen when human life is a factor, his racism is pushed to the side and humanity brought upfront. If only this was true in real life. This scenario is unlikely in real life, but makes for an eventful change of heart for the film, for which is fits perfectly.
These events, along with many others, make up Paul Haggis' "Crash." What can debatedly be called the Best Film of 2005 received six Oscar nomination (every nomination deserved) including Best Supporting Actor (Matt Dillon), Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Song ("In the Deep"), Best Director, and Best Picture. However, Terrance Howard deserved a nomination for "Crash" in addition to his nomination for "Hustle and Flow."