Compelling Plot and Strong Acting Provide

Rating: 10/10 (22 July 2007)

With films like "Crash," you have to be very careful. That is to say, you can't underplay the plot to make room for show-stealing roles, and you can't overplay the plot and hide the performances. In my modest opinion, "Crash" is a great balancing act. Still, though I loved it, I can easily understand why others did not.
"Crash" is really a morality tale told through the stories of a day-and-a-half in the lives of several people. There are humongous themes of racism, profiling, and other modern "taboos." The real message is that racism is everywhere and in everyone, which is a bold statement. People often comment that they feel as if they're being talked down to as they watch the film, which is understandable, but I had no problem with it. "Crash" doesn't linger for too long in any certain type of racism, and concentrates more on stories and character studies. Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, and Ludicrous all hold there own, Terrence Howard is very complex and great to watch, and Matt Dillon gives a stand-out and uncharacteristic performance as the most openly racist character in the film: an ultra-white cop with "daddy issues." "Crash" is a great film, and I think it's worthy of ten stars. still, I wouldn't put it up there with the real greats, like "The Godfather" and "Casablanca." I cannot guarantee that you will like it, but it's worth seeing for the interesting take on racism and the good/great performances.