Crash- Review

Rating: 10/10 (18 March 2012)

In this 2004 drama, we are told the story of how people's lives are interconnected by race, tragedy, and forgiveness. In Los Angeles we get a look into the lives of eight very different people. We have the politician and his wife (Sandra Bullock), the two black carjackers (Anthony and Peter), an Iranian store owner, a racist Caucasian cop (Matt Dillon), and a wealthy black couple (Cameron and Christine Thayer). All of these people are connected by racial tension. Throughout the movie, we watch as each one of them reaches a breaking point. As they interact with one another things start breaking loose.
The theme, race, is overwhelmingly obvious right from the start. Every one of the major players are at fault. The two black men feel as if they are unfairly treated for being black but then turn around and hijack Rick and Jean Cabot. Sandra Bullock plays the convincing role as Jean Cabot, the District Attorney's wife. She herself has issues accepting her Hispanic maid Maria. At the end of the movie, Jean falls down the stairs and is taken to the hospital by Maria. It is this act that helps open her eyes to the fact that the problem may lay within her own way of thinking. Another main character who comes to a realization is Officer John Ryan (played by Matt Dillon). He is a racist who uses his authority to his advantage. We see this when he pulls over Cameron and Christine Thayer (played by Terrance Howard and Thandi Newton). He is surprised to see that they are in fact a wealthy, nice black couple. He is angered by this and takes it out by sexually assaulting Christine. Later in the movie, Christine is involved in a bad car accident. Officer Ryan is on the scene and tries to help her out of her flipped car. She panics and doesn't want her to touch his because of their previous run in. He eventually talks her into letting him help her. The pure emotion on his face tells us that he has realized how ignorant he has been. As she is being led away she looks back at him in a new light.
The film is full of incidents just like these. Each character learned a life lesson through the consequences of their own actions. This film focused on real life issues and did it unapologetically. That alone made this a winner in my book. It was impossible to ignore the realities present in the film. I believe the stronger the reaction, the better the film. Crash not only kept my riveted in the story but caused an emotional reaction to more than one incident. I would highly recommend this film.