....from Pasto,Colombia...Via: L. A. CA., CALI, COLOMBIA and ORLANDO, FL
After seeing CRASH for the first time, in September, 2005, I said " WOW!... Why haven't I found out about this movie before?" (Well, maybe it's because it was released in the U. S. just a week before going to Colombia on vacation, on May 14, 2005.) This is the kind of film that you often dream about seeing, but are really lucky if just one of its caliber is released in a year!
Scenes from the Movie seem to have kept swirling around in my brain for weeks! Below, I'm going to explain why: CRASH impacts not so much for its action as, perhaps, its title might imply, nor fantastic scenes utilizing dazzling "CGI" effects, but by the undeniable quality and human warmth of the story it tells.
Time and again, CRASH shows us people, whom, at first, seem so easy to decipher, so black and white, and then, in a matter of seconds, disorients us with a chilling dose of unadulterated, hard reality: People are not at all one-dimensional, like in the comics. We are flesh and blood, replete with clandestine simmering passions, occult emotional scars, irrational internal conflict, and oftentimes victims of relentless, implacable, merciless fate! In stark contrast to its title, CRASH impacts for the subtlety that it displays from beginning to end. Boasting a truly majestic cast, CRASH is directed, orchestrated and integrated with inspiration by Paul Haggis, who also demonstrates here his creative genius in the capacity of writer, producer and composer. There is absolutely none of the "formula", which so infects almost all Hollywood films, in this independent Lions Gate Films production.
CRASH takes place in my hometown of Los Angeles, which serves, in this case, as a microcosm representative of the entire United States. (Which is really not all that far removed from reality.) That there have been films in the past that have focused on racism or racial prejudice is undeniable. The vast majority of these pontificate on racism as the worst of evils, in a repetitive manner, without any real in-depth perspective. In addition, they almost always focus on one particular ethnic group. (Prejudice against blacks, Jews, Mexicans, etc.) More often than not, in these films the oppressed are all saints and the oppressors are all demons! There is a certain disconnect with reality. In contrast, there is multiracial interaction in CRASH. Whites with blacks, blacks with Asians, Orientals with Latinos, Asians with whites, Arabs with whites, blacks with Latinos, etc.
In its notes about the production, IMDb lists a figure of just 6.5 million as the total cost of production. Absolutely amazing, considering that within the cast there are several actors who probably typically charge 5 to 10 million to perform in just one movie! Sandra Bullock (GRAVITY),Don Cheadle (Ocean 's Twelve, Hotel Rwanda),Matt Dillon (Something About Mary),Brendan Fraser (The Mummy, George of the Jungle) and Ryan Philippe (Cruel Intentions),all in roles that are in stark contrast to the type of role that made them famous, and each portrays a resonating, multi-faceted character who is very credible. CRASH makes it easy to identify with many of its characters, regardless of race, ethnicity or country of origin.
There are no sex scenes or graphic violence in CRASH, but as there are many issues that are aimed at adults, consequently, it doesn't seem that CRASH would be of much interest to those under 12 years of age. Of over 100,000 movies on IMDb, CRASH is ranked at Number 334 and rated a 7.9!
...ENJOY/DISFRUTELA! Any comments, questions or observations, in English o en Español, are most welcome!
Crash
2004
Action / Crime / Drama / Thriller
Crash
2004
Action / Crime / Drama / Thriller
Plot summary
Over a thirty-six hour period in Los Angeles, a handful of disparate people's lives intertwine as they deal with the tense race relations that belie life in the city. Among the players are: the Caucasian district attorney, who uses race as a political card; his Caucasian wife, who, having recently been carjacked by two black men, believes that her stereotypical views of non-whites is justified and cannot be considered racism; the two black carjackers who use their race both to their advantage and as an excuse; partnered Caucasian police constables, one who is a racist and uses his authority to harass non-whites, and the other who hates his partner because of those racist views, but who may have the same underlying values in his subconscious; a black film director and his black wife, who believes her husband doesn't support their black background enough, especially in light of an incident with the racist white cop; partnered police detectives and sometimes lovers, one Hispanic female and the other black male, the latter who is dealing with a drugged out mother that feels he isn't concerned enough about taking care of family; an East Asian man who is run over but who is hiding some valuable cargo in the back of his van; a Persian store owner, who feels he isn't getting satisfaction from American society when his store is robbed time and time again; and a Hispanic locksmith, who just wants to keep his family, especially his young daughter, safe in a seemingly unsafe world.
Uploaded by: OTTO
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THE Definitive Cinematic Work on Tensions/Issues Within the "Melting Pot" That Is the USA!
Sublime...
"Crash" won the 2006 Oscar for Best Picture. I don't quite understand that, as IMDb lists the release date as 2004. Well, whatever...all I know is that it is without much doubt one of the most unique and emotional films I have ever seen. While it is NOT a film I recommend to everyone (see later in my review for more on this),it's a brilliantly creative film that is more like riding an insane roller coaster for 110 minutes! Seriously.
Describing the plot in this film is VERY difficult. In fact, if I tried, the film might seem ordinary but it certainly isn't. Suffice to say that the movie consists of many separate stories in Los Angeles that all come together in a strange tapestry. And, most of the stories involve gun violence, race prejudice and misunderstandings. I just can't say much more to describe it--see it and experience an emotional film that will leave you numb and make your heart skip a few beats.
Now as I said above, the film is not for everyone--though it is brilliant. There's a lot of harsh language (necessary for the plot--not gratuitous) and the movie is a serious emotional roller coaster. You will probably feel about to cry and it will affect you--I can't see how it can't. It's amazing, actually, but so intense that I don't recommend it to kids or folks with a weak heart (I am serious). Watch it and be amazed.
Sublime--something that is beyond words.
too many characters leave them feeling thin
It's a day and a half in Los Angeles. Police detectives Ria (Jennifer Esposito) and Waters (Don Cheadle) get into a car crash. Waters walks over to examine a dead body in a crime scene. Yesterday, Persian shop owner Farhad and his daughter Dorri buy a gun. Anthony (Ludacris) and Peter (Larenz Tate) talk about racism. Jean (Sandra Bullock) and husband DA Rick Cabot (Brendan Fraser) get carjacked by them. Jean complains about locksmith Daniel Ruiz (Michael Peña). Officer Tom Hansen (Ryan Phillippe) is concerned about his partner John Ryan (Matt Dillon) after he stops TV director Cameron Thayer (Terrence Howard) and his wife Christine (Thandie Newton).
Paul Haggis weaves together a bunch of stories about the isolated nature of L.A. and the moments when they crash into each other. It tackles issues of race and perceptions. This has some great individual scenes. The problem is that Haggis has included so many characters that the heavy subject matter feel very superficial. For example, Sandra Bullock is playing a harsher character but the movie doesn't dig into her background. Haggis may have the best intention but the characters are thin while their stories are incredibly deep.