"Crash"? I was "wrecked!"

Rating: 9/10 (8 May 2005)

Ever the haughty intellectual, I was amazed how easily "Crash" played with my emotions. From the opening scene, the screen pounded away with horrors, let me catch my breath and then assaulted me anew. I almost missed seeing "Crash" after being irked and disappointed by the scenery-chewing Sean Penn in "Mystic River." I foolishly feared "Crash" would suffer from similar Oscar greed. Somehow I gambled and won. "Crash" combines gut-wrenching writing, crisp editing and ensemble acting in a film of grit and dirt not meant for the faint hearted. Here are stereotypes amped up and thrown together as only a bit city melting pot can. While some plots intersect too conveniently, their outcomes reward anyway.
This Los Angeles has no heroes, no gallant person charging up on a trusty steed to save the day. Here are flawed people acting foolishly and either escaping or paying. I loved every performance in this film, from familiar stars, familiar character actors and from fresh new people. I hope someone has the brains to thank and reward Don Cheadle for his contributions in this film, not just for his performance but for being the film's producer. His work continues to represent a gold standard for today's Hollywood.