Movie: Crash
General Info
Title: Crash
Year: 2005
(image from http://www.hollywood.com/)
In Short
Uhm.. How short can I put this? Not really very short.. Two days, Los(t) Angeles, people, race and prejudice.
The Movie
Visuals
Very, very nice visuals, never too emotional, never too blockbuster, never too arthouse. I love the shots with the camera like a fly on the ceiling. The winter scenes are spooky. Love it!
Plot
A description of the plot? Can’t be done (see In Short), but I sure as hell can comment on it ;o)
This movie takes us through the lives of several people and the events that connect one or more of them in the story. Ensemble cast movies with multiple storylines are a very tricky category of cinema. Get it right and you win a bunch of Oscars, get it wrong, well.. you get a very messy and presumptuous movie that’s not even gonna work as a rental..
In this case, it worked, even though the story can be viewed as bit of a cliché: all people are prejudiced, we all should get along, etc. But it does work!
There is this very delicate balance that’s been managed all throughout the movie and that balance keeps you interested in and commited to the characters and the story. Very nicely done!
Cast
The cast consists an interesting and sometimes surprising selection of performers:
Interesting: Sandra Bullock’s low-key part shows us the not-so cheery talents of the cheery-faced actress. The incredibly beautiful Thandie Newton also being more than a pretty face.
Surprising: Brendan Fraser, again showing acting talent in a way I didn’t expect (check out “Gods And Monsters“). The two minute bit by Tony Danza was very, very nice!
Excellent: Co-producer Don Cheadle (my second all-time favorite black actor) and Terrence Howard (my third favorite) are goddamn unbelievable. Special mention: Matt Dillon who got under my skin coz I really hated and felt sympathy for that character.
The Waste Of Time People: None, period.
Conclusion
Seeing this movie on a large screen really is worth your while coz it strengthens both plot and cast performance. This flick deserved its awards in a year of small budget, socially focussed movies. I don’t mind blockbusters, but I’ll never forget the two crucial scenes between the little girl (Ashlyn Sanchez) and her dad (the excellent Michael Peña).
Hey, and seeing Martina Sirtis in a role other than Troi is always a blessing ;o)
Rating: 
