Moving and thought provoking

Rating: 9/10 (9 March 2006)

This movie was just phenomenal and completely deserving of the Academy Award for Best Picture. The acting was superb and the story was emotionally gripping. *Spoiler Alert* If your heart was not in your throat when the little girl was almost shot, you have no humanity. It was one of the most impressive scenes I have ever seen on film. And when the gun had blanks and gave the shooter a chance a redemption and he took the chance... WOW!! When the racist police office was able to save his victim, and when the carjacker could save a group of immigrants from exploitation and slavery...moving! People all too often stereotype themselves and act in accordance with others expectations, so the stereotypes portrayed ring true. But people in this film are able to rise above these stereotypes at critical moments. Are there too many coincidences? Of course, but great storytelling needs some license. This movie went beyond the normal Hollywood formula that people are used to. It wasn't the typical movie with a theme consisting of "racist person is evil and must be ridiculed and vilified." Its message was that racism is pervasive, otherwise good people can have racist moments or views, and people can overcome their racism and redeem themselves. It also pointed out that there are situations where cultural bias can be as dangerous as overt racism. This was an entertaining and thought provoking film with terrific acting. Congrats to this movie for its Best Picture win!