Crash (DVD) Review

Crash (DVD) Review

Nominated for six Academy Awards- and winner of Best Picture- Crash is more than deserving of the critical acclaim surrounding its release. Probing the deepest recesses of racism- prejudice- and Contd...

Nominated for six Academy Awards- and winner of Best Picture- Crash is more than deserving of the critical acclaim surrounding its release. Probing the deepest recesses of racism- prejudice- and discrimination in modern day America- the film forces viewers to examine their own tendencies to create and foster stereotypes. More importantly- it does so in a way that doesn’t accuse- blame- or pursue a political agenda. In fact- Crash even touches on the shortcomings of political correctness and how some people have allowed outside perceptions to affect personal judgment- often to their own detriment. Written and directed by Paul Haggis- author of the Million Dollar Baby screenplay- Crash is a thoughtful piece of social commentary wrapped in a storyline ripe with conflict and suspense.

Crash follows numerous characters living in and around Los Angeles as they deal with racial perceptions- prejudices- and stereotypes in their daily lives. Jean Cabot (Sandra Bullock) struggles with her inability to trust her own instincts following a car-jacking which leaves her teetering on the brink of a mental breakdown. Meanwhile- police officer John Ryan (Matt Dillon) harasses African-Americans as a result of the prejudices he developed following his father’s bankruptcy years ago. Lucien (Dato Bakhtadze) and his wife Elizabeth (Karina Arroyave) find their own biases and self-perceptions erupting to the surface of their marriage following a traumatic encounter with Officer Ryan. The consequences of Ryan’s hatred have a rippling effect- a theme which is repeated in countless other social exchanges between store owners- locksmiths- detectives- and hockey enthusiasts. In short- Crash sets out to jar its audience into recognition of the enormous consequences of racial prejudice- no matter how “minor” we may believe those attitudes may be.
The cast of Crash is superb. Don Cheadle completes his graduation from the front desk of The Golden Girls spin-off Golden Palace by turning in a second blockbuster performance within a matter of months (Hotel Rwanda would be the other). Like other characters from the film- Cheadle’s Graham is unable to fully develop due to time constraints- yet he manages to come across as a sympathetic and flawed character. The same can be said of Matt Dillon’s portrayal of Officer John Ryan. He isn’t a mere hatemonger skinhead- but rather a caring individual who developed detrimental prejudice based on past events from his childhood. In the end- like many of the film’s characters- the audience gets a glimpse of his good side.
Overall- Crash is an excellent film that lives up to the notoriety and hype. For the typical viewer- it will evoke myriad emotions – hatred of racism- loathing of man’s inhumanity to man- empathy- self-reflection- and an awareness of how one’s own prejudices may affect others. Paul Haggis brilliantly illustrates the consequences of widespread attitudes harboring racist- prejudicial- discriminatory- and stereotypical overtones. He does so without pointing fingers or assigning blame. Everyone is guilty; no race- gender- class- or ideology is spared. Crash also probes the depths of American prejudice by addressing the unintended consequences of both affirmative action and political-correctness. It’s this reluctance to strictly adhere to an ideological agenda that empowers Crash with its universal appeal. By not being preachy- the film is better able to relate its themes to viewers from every type of background and perspective. It’s an entertaining film. Hopefully- it also makes each us think twice about the way in which we relate to our fellow man. If so- then Crash is more than just a film; it’s a world-changing experience.

tagged

Related Articles:

• Cheers (Season 2) DVD Review
  One of the top-rated sitcoms of the 1980s- Cheers founded the "must see" hours of NBC/' s prime time lineup. Following the exploits of a group of bar employees and their customers- Cheers became a
  


• Why is “Desperate Housewives” so popular?
  Why is “Desperate Housewives” so popular? Infidelity and extramarital affairs are rife. TV shows come and go. “Desperate Housewives” being all the rage for a time. Oprah even raved about it- as ma
  


• Will & Grace (DVD) Review
  Premiering in the Fall of 1998- Will & Grace has become one of the most celebrated shows of its time. Nominated for 49 Emmys- and winner of 12 (including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2000)- the sh
  


• I Claudius (DVD) Review
  Think history is boring? Think again! I Claudius is proof that an educational film can also be one of the most popular and entertaining series ever produced. A 1976 mini-series- starring many of the
  


• Gilmore Girls (Season 3) DVD Review
  Nominated for scant major television awards in its first few seasons- Gilmore Girls is nevertheless a major among TV viewers. Setting the critics aside- fans of the show have Gilmore Girls one of t
  


• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DVD) Review
  Nominated for 28 Emmys- including several for Outstanding Visual Effects- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continues the rich tradition of the original 1960s Star Trek franchise. Created by former L.A. p
  

• Home

Main Categories

• Arts Entertainment
• Business
• Communications
• Computers
• Disease Illness
• Fashion
• Finance
• Food Beverage
• Health Fitness
• Home Family
• Internet Business
• Politics
• Product Reviews
• Recreation Sports
• Reference Education
• Self Improvement
• Society
• Travel Leisure
• Vehicles
• Writing Speaking

Sub Category

• Book Reviews
• Consumer Electronics
• Digital Products
• Movie Reviews
• Music Reviews

Favorite Links

• Free website templates
• Open Web Design
• sNews CMS
• OSWD.org
• xNavigation

 

 

 

 

 

© 2007 www.travelmycity.com.