Crash Reviews
garyX
Super Reviewer
February 19, 2007
This well intentioned story of intertwining lives in the cultural melting pot that is Los Angeles is an ambitious attempt to explore the grey area outside of political correctness. Nearly all of the characters display racism to various extents but it's done so in a way as to create three dimensional characters without demonization. It's sensitively directed and well played by all concerned with Terrence Howard in particular bringing depth to his black studio exec who suffers humiliation at the hands of the LAPD. Paul Haggis cut his teeth on TV comedy drama and it is very apparent here; the unlikely series of coincidences that unites the characters seems overly contrived and there is one too many of the kind of pop music montages that are the hallmark of lightweight American TV drama. It is well meaning and nicely executed but the need Haggis shows to tie all of the themes up in a nice big bow for the audience seems just a little patronizing.
Joseph M
Super Reviewer
April 8, 2012
A Very powerful, thoughtful, complex movie about Racism and Xenophobia in America portrayed by a group of Americans who in 36 Hours all collide with each other. There is some truly Powerful scenes in this film that will stay with you for a long time after the final scene. The acting is Brilliant especially from oscar nominated "Matt Dillon" The many sub plots may confuse some people and the whole concept of the film may put people off but the whole raw power of this film is why it's worth watching.
KJ P
Super Reviewer
January 11, 2010
As you are feasting your eyes on this breathtaking film, you will lose count of how many thematic elements are present. This film revolves around family and friends in the harsh times of Los Angeles. It follows many different races of characters, and when they all "crash" together, it is a beautiful story. The performances are jaw-dropping, the way the story unfolds is shockingly good hearted, and the camera shots are unlike any other movie of this decade. "Crash" is one of the best films that I have ever seen, and if you haven't had the good graces to check it out, I highly recommend doing so. Magnificent!
Daniel P
Super Reviewer
April 15, 2007
Other than the Sandra Bullock/Brendan Fraser storyline (which didn't really go anywhere), this is basically a perfect movie. Most impressive to me were Don Cheadle, Thandie Newton and Michael Peña, though this film features a great ensemble performance. Some scenes will bring you to tears, others will leave you shaking, and one made me howl with (highly inappropriate!) laughter. These are all reactions that it's the film's goal to provoke as it asks the characters (and the viewer) to confront their prejudices. And sadly, for this (expertly plotted) group of (loosely) connected characters, this is all in a day's work in contemporary Los Angeles. People say that Robert Altman's Nashville did this first, and did it better. I'll watch that one and see. For what it's worth, after years of thinking Brokeback Mountain might have been ripped off at the Oscars, I can see why Crash won. A very, very good film.
Emile T
Super Reviewer
June 13, 2006
Thandie Newton really impressed me.
Very touching scenes from this slow, heart-warming and astoninshingly perfect movie.
Thandie Newton really impressed me.
Eric A
Super Reviewer
July 31, 2011
One of the most recommended movies to my friends. Hard-hitting film about the harsh world we live in.
Carlos M
Super Reviewer
December 10, 2009
The deserving winner of the Oscar for Best Picture in 2006 is a poignant morality study on racism, intolerance and xenophobia, so intense and powerful that it hits the most loathsome sores of society in a really unsettling way - and it can certainly make you cry and feel deeply unnerved, and stay with you long after it is over.
Sajin P
Super Reviewer
May 29, 2011
More and more implausible coincidences pile up and by the time almost everyone in this overcrowded cast had been inadvertently crashed into each other, the movie fails to get beneath the surface of the issue it has been trying to shove on your face for the past 112 minutes.
This ensemble drama is set in a snake pit universe, where each and everyone is a racist puppet. And destiny has it that these sugarcoated-for-award-committee-characters collide with each other in multiple, crisscrossing events.
More and more implausible coincidences pile up and by the time almost everyone in this overcrowded cast had been inadvertently crashed into each other, the movie fails to get beneath the surface of the issue it has been trying to shove on your face for the past 112 minutes.
murphmann93
Super Reviewer
June 23, 2011
A great film. The storyline grips you and you don't know what's going to come next. Love how it all connected in the end! A must see!
cosmo313
Super Reviewer
June 9, 2006
It's a good concept, but not a great movie. It's really overrated, and I really didn't get much out of it that was new or overly insightful. Yes, the film was well acted, but the story really didn't work too much for me. Some of the ideas presented are nice, but they aren't executed well enough (I think) for this film to be regarded as highly as it is. Everything just seems pandering and smacks of "importance". The Academy really chickened out by letting this one win.
Kev
Super Reviewer
April 9, 2011
Racism, violence and twist after twist is what makes Crash work. Crash (Winner of 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture) follows many stories and how they all "crash" into each other. The movie begins with Don Cheadle, playing a police detective, walking towards a crime scene and then for most of the film it is in flashback mode. You see blacks, whites, spanish, chinese, basically every race and how they treat others for the rest of the film. Whether it's an Arab finding his store being destroyed or a white police officer sexually harassing a black woman, Crash is full of racism that is somewhat unpleasing to many viewers.
Crash does many things well: one of which is the cast. This cast is mainly composed of below average actors (Brendan Fraser, Sandra Bullock, Ludacris, Matt Dillon to name a few) along with some well known actors (Don Cheadle is one). What Crash does so well is actually makes their actors feel realistic. The actors work perfectly for some reason and I have no reason why. Brendan Fraser is the District Attorney while Bullock is his wife. But every character is needed to show one thing: THEY ARE ALL RACIST.
Racism is commonly used in this film. It shows how others look at one another but it also shows how different races come together. Crash nails the story aspect of the film. The movie follows different races and how each character interacts (or crashes into) another character from the film. To be honest there is no lead actor in this film. They are all supporting each other. Crash also has a few suspenseful moments, mainly involving the police. Whenever a twist comes at you, another one is right behind it giving more shock to the audience. Crash keeps you guessing which makes it a great thriller.
Now this film won Best Picture in 2005. In my opinion, it isn't Oscar worthy but after looking at the lineup of films that year, I can see why it won. It's a solid thriller that keeps you on your toes for the 2 hour runtime. If I had to give one comment is that perhaps there is too much racism. While I laughed whenever a racist joke was heard, in the end you have to ask the question, "Was it really needed?" I was leaning more on the "No" side but it's all a matter of opinion. Still, Crash is great thriller and should be seen by more mature audiences.
Grade: B (86%)
Racism, violence and twist after twist is what makes Crash work. Crash (Winner of 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture) follows many stories and how they all "crash" into each other. The movie begins with Don Cheadle, playing a police detective, walking towards a crime scene and then for most of the film it is in flashback mode. You see blacks, whites, spanish, chinese, basically every race and how they treat others for the rest of the film. Whether it's an Arab finding his store being destroyed or a white police officer sexually harassing a black woman, Crash is full of racism that is somewhat unpleasing to many viewers.
Crash does many things well: one of which is the cast. This cast is mainly composed of below average actors (Brendan Fraser, Sandra Bullock, Ludacris, Matt Dillon to name a few) along with some well known actors (Don Cheadle is one). What Crash does so well is actually makes their actors feel realistic. The actors work perfectly for some reason and I have no reason why. Brendan Fraser is the District Attorney while Bullock is his wife. But every character is needed to show one thing: THEY ARE ALL RACIST.
Racism is commonly used in this film. It shows how others look at one another but it also shows how different races come together. Crash nails the story aspect of the film. The movie follows different races and how each character interacts (or crashes into) another character from the film. To be honest there is no lead actor in this film. They are all supporting each other. Crash also has a few suspenseful moments, mainly involving the police. Whenever a twist comes at you, another one is right behind it giving more shock to the audience. Crash keeps you guessing which makes it a great thriller.
Now this film won Best Picture in 2005. In my opinion, it isn't Oscar worthy but after looking at the lineup of films that year, I can see why it won. It's a solid thriller that keeps you on your toes for the 2 hour runtime. If I had to give one comment is that perhaps there is too much racism. While I laughed whenever a racist joke was heard, in the end you have to ask the question, "Was it really needed?" I was leaning more on the "No" side but it's all a matter of opinion. Still, Crash is great thriller and should be seen by more mature audiences.
Shawn E
Super Reviewer
March 14, 2011
A drama of mixed themes strung together to portray our modern day society in its strengths and weaknesses. The connections that are exposed between the characters throughout the film become very enlightening and reveal some powerful and moving scenes.
DreamExtractor
Super Reviewer
February 27, 2011
A moving and incredible story of different forms of racism
Lady D
Super Reviewer
June 26, 2007
Cleverly woven individual stories with a common theme, misdirected anger, prejudices and judgements of all kind are thrown into the air and the welll developed characters paint each scene.
A film that will stay with you, a film which is thought provoking and with various jaw dropping, breath holding moments.
Beautiful, yet tragic all at once.
A film of genius, so powerful, so impressionable, a film that leads you to the answers, but leaves you to ponder the questions.
Cleverly woven individual stories with a common theme, misdirected anger, prejudices and judgements of all kind are thrown into the air and the welll developed characters paint each scene.
A film that will stay with you, a film which is thought provoking and with various jaw dropping, breath holding moments.
Beautiful, yet tragic all at once.
jamers2011
Super Reviewer
August 1, 2010
This is one of the most touching and powerful films I have ever seen. Excellent! I definitely recommend it.
A great movie! The thing that really stands out about this film is the message and how it's portrayed in a way that helps the audience relate to it in a deep and personal way. Each character is so raw, real, and flawed that the audience is able to see themselves as the characters, rather than the actors; this is one of the reasons why this film is so powerful and affective. I also love the way this film doesn't sugar coat the issues, nor does it beat around the bush. It gets right to the core of rascism in our culture and who we really are as people. The cast is just brilliant. Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, and Don Cheadle really let go of themselves here. Great performances all the way around.
This is one of the most touching and powerful films I have ever seen. Excellent! I definitely recommend it.
Albert K
Super Reviewer
September 18, 2010
This movie pounds it's message in almost every single scene... the movie is too preachy, but the acting/cinematography/score all were excellent (except for brendan fraser)
Saskia D
Super Reviewer
July 25, 2010
Crash is one hell of a ride!
One of the most depressing movies I've seen in a long time! I remember seeing the movie Magnolia for the first time and it sort of had the same effect on me.
Crash is one hell of a ride!
TheDudeLebowski65
Super Reviewer
July 11, 2010
Crash is a powerful look at racial tolerance. A film that everyone should see, this far better than any Spike Lee film dealing with the issue of race (which counts for 97% of his filmography) Some may think that it's kind of far fetched what I just said, but Crash is a film that doesn't try to shove it's message down our throats, it merely enlightens us and makes us realize whats going on, and thats something Spike Lee never does, he imagines that pissing people off will make them see the bigger picture, it doesn't. It just angers the audience more. Thats why I respect this film more than any Spike Lee film out there dealing with race, this is a film that enlightens on the subject without being preachy or trying to piss the audience off. Don Cheadle is phenomenal in this film and surprisingly so is Ludacris. A terrific film about a very important subject.
