Crash (2004 film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Crash is a 2004 American drama film co-written, produced and directed by Paul Haggis. The film is about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, California. A self-described "passion piece" for Haggis, Crash was inspired by a real life incident in which his Porsche was carjacked outside a video store on Wilshire Boulevard in 1991.
Several characters' stories interweave during two days in Los Angeles: a black detective estranged from his mother; his criminal younger brother and gang associate; the white District Attorney and his irritated and pampered wife; a racist white police officer who disgusts his more idealistic younger partner; an African American Hollywood director and his wife who must deal with the officer; a Persian-immigrant father who is wary of others; and a Hispanic locksmith. The film differs from many other films about racism in its rather impartial approach to the issue. Rather than separating the characters into victims and offenders, victims of racism are often shown to be racist themselves in different contexts and situations. Also, racist remarks and actions are often shown to stem from ignorance and misconception rather than a malicious personality.
Crash stars a large ensemble cast including Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillippe, Larenz Tate and Michael Peña. In 2006, the film received six Academy Award nominations and won three for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing at the 78th Academy Awards.
Best Picture Oscar
In 2005, controversy was generated when Crash won the Best Picture Oscar, beating the critically favored Brokeback Mountain and making it only the second film ever (the other being The Sting) to win the Academy Award for Best Picture without having been nominated for any of the three Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture (Best Drama, Best Comedy/Musical and Best Foreign Film).
The film's use of moral quandary as a storytelling medium was widely reported as ironic, since many saw it as the "safe" choice to Brokeback Mountain. Critic Kenneth Turan suggested that Crash benefited from anti-homosexual discomfort among Academy members while critic Roger Ebert was of a different opinion, arguing that the better film won that year. He went on to question why many critics weren't mentioning the other nominees and that they were just mindlessly bashing Crash merely because it won over Brokeback Mountain. Ebert also placed Crash on his best ten list as #1 best film of 2005, and correctly predicted it to win Best Picture.
***
Loved this movie.
Personally,
liked it better
than
"Brokeback Mountain."
The last scene,
The last scene of the film shows the white van being parked in Chinatown, where Anthony walks to the back, opens the van, and sets the Asians free. He tells the uncomprehending passengers that "this is America," and he gives $40 to one of the men, telling him to buy everyone some "chop suey" to eat. As Anthony drives away, he passes a minor crash, which turns out to involve Shaniqua. The film closes as Shaniqua and the other driver, who rear-ended her car, hurl racial insults at one another.
especially had me laughing as it reminded me of one night in Jacksonville, FL, when on our way to the clubs, Sergeant Chip Barrett and I witnessed an accident in which a car ran a red light and hit the back half of the car in front of us.
Immediately two black women got out of one car, behaving just like Shaniqua did in this movie, screaming at a cross dresser who was driving the car in front of us who was not wanting to step out of her(his) car. This cross dresser also had a much older gentleman as her(his) passenger.
Chip jumped out of our car, flashing his badge, telling the two black women to get back into their car. We waited until police officers officially on duty arrived with Chip explaining to them the black women were at fault;
then we were quickly back on our way to the clubs.
Honestly...
not sure who was at fault as I was not paying attention.
Just took Chip's word for it.
Surprised I'm just now seeing this movie.
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