Crash Review

Summary
People are born with good hearts, but as they grow up they learn prejudices. "Crash" is a movie that brings out bigotry and racial stereotypes. The movie is set in Los Angeles, a city with a mix of many nationalities and cultures. The story begins when several people are involved in a multi-car accident. From there, we are taken to the days before the crash, seeing the lives of several characters, and the problems each encounters during that day. Later we realize the people’s lives connect in more ways than they will ever know. A racist cop is trying to get medical help for his father, but he is having problems with an African American HMO clerk (Shaniqua Johnson) who won't give his father permission to see another doctor. Frustrated he utters racial slurs to the woman, her stereotypical name is criticized and he insults her intelligence. He in turn takes out his frustration on a black couple during a traffic stop. A bitchy socialite and District Attorney couple are carjacked at gunpoint by two black teenagers. Mrs. Cabot takes out her anger on a Mexican locksmith who is changing the door locks to their home. Later that night, the locksmith is again robbed of his dignity by a Persian store-owner. The store owner has his locks changed by the Mexican locksmith and tells the store owner that he also needs his door fixed. The store owner does not understand and in turn his store is robbed and trashed that night. Who is to blame? The Mexican locksmith. That same day the locksmith and little girl’s lives are threatened but are saved by the magical cloak. Many of the characters switch from being bad-person-to-hero in many surprising ways. Crash plays into the many stereotypes of African Americans, White Europeans, Hispanics, Mexicans, Persians and Asians. This movie has received many prestigious awards, three of which were Oscars)for its boldness to show the realities of life and happenings that otherwise would continue to be shun by the world.

Overall, Crash is a great movie. The movie points out 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. The movie demonstrates the consequences of widespread attitudes harboring racist, discriminatory, and stereotypical overtones. It is hard to blame any one person in this movie. Everyone is guilty; no race, gender, class, or ideology is spared.

Characters
Sandra Bullock-Jean Cabot
Brendan Fraser-Rick Cabot
Ludacris-Anthony
Larenz Tate-Peter Waters
Don Cheadle-Detective Graham Waters
Terrence Howard- Cameron Thayer
Thandie Newton- Christine Thayer
Laretta Devine-Shaniqua Johnson
Matt Dillon-Officer John Ryan
Ryan Phillipe-Officer Tom Hanssen

Negative Criticisms
Some critics have said that iin the movie, Asians are portrayed in an overwhelmingly negative light, and Asian stereotypes were reinforced and lacked any manner of development of its Asian characters. To an extent this is true. European American, African American, Hispanic, Mexican and Cambodian's stereotypes were challenged and given insight on; but Asian stereotypes were simply noted.

Reviews


In 2004, the controversial film Crash brought to light issues and topics that are usually brushed to the side. It was called, “Thrilling and Provocative!” from Ken Tucker of the New York Magazine and “A Knockout” by Peter Travers of Rolling Stone. Although it received good reviews, the subject matter was offensive to some viewers. This movie showed the raw reality of racism and had no intention of sugar coating it. The movie did not dance around issues or tip-toe around feelings. Because of this, the reactions to this movie were mixed, but the audience could not escape the universal message of discrimination. This movie openly shows that racism is not slanted towards a particular race or group of people. Racism and discrimination affects us all and everyone has thoughts of other people based on their outer appearance and the way they carry themselves. Every character was influenced by the way other people viewed them. It was interesting to see how each character struggled with the roles of their own façade. Rick Cabot, Brendan Fraser, struggled with his actions based on how others would perceive him because he held office. Cameron Thayer, Terrence Howard, struggled with how to identify with his race. The ignorance of people and the unwillingness to educate themselves on other cultures and people becomes a vicious cycle. One wrong deed often leads to another and then another. The actions can not be justified with blame because the results are not possitive. Ria, Jennifer Esposito, begins the movie by insulting the Asian driver and mocking her speech. Then, when Ria is called Mexican, she is offended. We learn that her mother is from Puerto Rico and her father is from El Salvador. She uses stereotypes and she is part of a stereotype. When you hurt others, it often comes back to haunt you. This movie is a morality play about cause and effect. This film addresses the way people impact each other, directly and indirectly. The positive interactions and the negative interactions have weight in the other character’s lives. One small action, like giving a daughter an invisible and protective cape, could lead to the unimaginable, like a death of a child. Knowing the outcome and results of every one of your actions is impossible, but it is important to think that even the smallest of actions can alter someone else. This film brings up the timeless moral of not judging a book by its cover. Possibly everyone has said something a little racist in their lives.


It's True!



Taylor Espy and Dione Hardin