Absolutely NOT unworthy of best picture

Rating: 10/10 (6 April 2006)

In the backlash over it's "surprising" win for Best Picture at the Oscars(it seemed to have the best chance of winning over Brokeback,if I recall the pre-Oscar buzz correctly),it seems like everyone who preferred Brokeback(I'm presuming that that was the majority,although there could've been a strong contingent of Good Night and Good Luck,Munich and Capote fans out there,too)have to take their shots at Crash,which to me is HIGHLY unfair. Crash is an excellent piece of story-telling,and it DOES have social significance in today's society(unless you believe racism has been ended for good...anyone?)!
This tapestry of characters in Los Angeles go though events over a less than 48 hour period where stereotypes,frustrations,apprehensions,bad decisions,pride and assumptions become confronted,overcome and realized. Among the players:a seemingly racist patrolman(Matt Dillon,very good),his idealistic partner(Ryan Phillipe,better than expected),a slick police detective with a troubled past(Don Cheadle,good as ever),a family of middle eastern shop keepers,wary as ever about being robbed and attacked, an accomplished black couple(Terrence Howard and Thandie Newton) who don't realize how close they are to being mistreated for their race, a rich,politically connected couple(Sandra Bullock and Brendan Frasier)who get to experience the unattractive part of the city they live and thrive in and react differently and the two buddies(Ludicrous and Dato Bakthadzhe???)who argue as they carjack in the richer part of the city. These are the flash-points--but not even close to the only--people they rub off against in a portrait of racial attitudes in a large,overheated city.
Paul Haggis co-wrote and directed this film,which follows strong work from screenplay writing Million Dollar Baby.
This film actually seemed to do more business AFTER it went to second release,then video and I feel like word-of-mouth helped it to reach the rarefied status it's reached.
Regardless of whether it won an Oscar,a Golden Globe or any other award(save maybe a Razzie),it IS,was and always will be a quality film. To set its value against any other film on terms of social or redeeming value to me is like comparing apples and oranges and is completely useless. The rough,unflinching story-telling makes this movie VERY memorable,and THAT is what this movie should be judged on.