Good Oscar Film on Stereotypes and Race.

Rating: 8/10 (18 June 2007)

"Crash" is a movie that involves the lives of different people during a period of two days in Los Angeles: a police detective (Don Cheadle) with a mother high on drugs and a younger brother who makes a habit of stealing cars. He and his pal rob a district attorney (Brendan Fraser and and his wife (Sandra Bullock). In addition, this movie also deals with a veteran cop (Matt Dhillon), who cares for his ailing father and who disgusts his younger partner (Ryan Phillippe) by molesting a woman (Thandie Newton) during a traffic stop; and a Persian-immigrant father who buys a gun to protect his shop which involves a Hispanic-American locksmith and his young daughter.
This is a powerful movie that displays how racism and stereotypes affect human lives. What we see in this movie is misinterpretation, prejudgment, heroic acts, retribution, hatred and forgiveness. We also see both good and bad acts in this movie, like when the cop John Ryan (Dhillon) molested Christine Thayer (Thandie Newton) during a traffic stop, but ends up being the one who saves her from a car accident. This is my favorite scene in the movie, which combines the acts of forgiveness, irony and heroism. Another notable scene is when Jean Calbot (Bullock), after being robbed, vents that if she complains to society about her being robbed by two Black men, she would be considered racist because she is White. This is true in parts of society today, as the subject of race is misinterpreted in many ways.
Another touching scene is when the locksmith was being shielded by his young daughter from a bullet. Turns out, she survives the incident, even though it appears she has been shot. It depicts that even in the hardest and grimmest times in society, miracles exist.
Overall, a very powerful and dramatic movie full of character development and depth. The only downside is that the movie lacks some comic relief. But, it is certainly worthy of its Oscar win.
Grade B