Overrated

Rating: 1/10 (12 March 2006)

The first time I viewed the film, "Crash" was interesting and dynamic. The performances were strong, consistent, and compelling. However, after repeat viewings, "Crash" crashed. The script by Paul Haggis becomes tired and dull, with nothing more important to say than "racism is bad". What Haggis misses is that explicit racism is everywhere, and the fact that the movie needlessly spins a web of stories to tell this lesson is over dramatic and obnoxious. It's the covert and implicit racism that needs to be explored, discussed, and challenged. It's Tony Danza's character that is the most compelling in this regard. It is a shame that Haggis doesn't have the guts to really put the issues on the line to challenge viewers. Who knows ... he might have lost the Oscar and instead made a memorable film.