A movie that shows the unfortunate cruelty among the world and the harmful results that come from it

Rating: 6/10 (18 March 2012)

Crash is a movie directed by Paul Haggis about a handful of different characters all with a similar struggle that connects them to one another. The movie jumps from one story to another, not tying in how they are all connected until the end. Each character in the movie faces the issue of how to not only live among, but treat different racial and ethnic groups. Ryan Phillippe plays Officer Tom Hansen who attempts to fight the racial separation in the city of Los Angeles and more specifically his partner Officer John Ryan, played by Matt Dillon. Don Cheadle plays Det. Graham Waters, Terrence Howard plays Cameron Thayer, and Sandra Bullock plays Jean Cabbot. The acting is well done in the movie, Crash. The viewer is left feeling an emotional tie to each character. Whether the viewer is feeling hatred, hurt, or sorrow, each actor is able to tap into the emotions of the viewers. This movie is similar to Gran Torino. Both have themes that deal with the fight of racism and prejudice. In both movies, the characters don't know how to deal with the characters of other races. Then, as the movie goes, the characters come to realize that their race and heritage don't define them as people. The movie, Crash, uses different camera angles to intensify the film. The camera zooms in on character's reactions and certain important scenes. During intense action scenes the camera angle is farther away to give the audience a clear view. Then, when the characters are reacting to the recent occurrence, hurtful slur, or sad scene, the camera zooms in close. Also, the lighting is important. Some scenes are dark and relate to the dark attitudes the characters have towards one another. Many scenes are set during the night. The surrounding is dark, but the characters features are lit up to intensify their reactions and feelings. The lighting makes the viewer feel the darkness of the theme. The movie is all about the struggle of the different cultures living together in peace. It shows the hardships some of the characters face because of their race, religion, or heritage. Crash gives a brutally honest idea of how cruel people can be to one another. The ignorance and lack or compassion the different groups of people have towards one another in this movie is a big theme. This leads some characters to be cruel and hurt others. The movie proves time and time again that the stereotypes and ideas one group has towards another is generally wrong. Without the terrible assumptions and hurtful behavior the characters have towards one another, all of the accidents and tragedies could be avoided.