Great Drama

Rating: 9/10 (21 July 2008)

I'm surprised at all the negative comments about this film. For me, _Crash_ succeeded in supplying great drama, writing, acting, and direction. Others have compared _Crash_ to _Magnolia_ - but for me, _Magnolia_ is stale, ponderous, and far too long. _Crash_ moves along very briskly - and does not linger on any one character to the point of banality.
I think what made the movie work for me was the idea that no one is beyond redemption - but even so, redemption is not always guaranteed. Matt Dillon first appears as a completely despicable character, and later - in what I found to be an amazing scene, he rescues a woman whom he had earlier molested. Meanwhile Ryan Phillippe, who at first seems to possess a true sense of justice, and later helps Terrence Howard out of a real jam with cops that want to shoot him, has a moment of poor judgment, and suffers a terrible psychological price for it.
I also think the music is great (Mark Isham) - and really sets the mood for the drama that unfolds. As humans, I think we can and should treat each other better. That's all this movie is really trying to say.
The only fault with this film that I can find is the tacked on "Hollywood" ending of showing another car crash - and the resulting altercation that ensues, as the camera dutifully pans upward. To me, that's how you end a comedy - not a drama, and especially not a drama as good as _Crash_.