Crash is a 2004 drama film directed by Paul Haggis. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2004, but it wasn't released internationally until the following year. The film is a social commentary on racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, and has often been compared to Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, Collateral, starring Tom Cruise, and Changing Lanes, with Ben Affleck. It was a critical and box-office success in the early summer of 2005. The movie was filmed with an incredibly tight budget, just $6.5 million (plus $1 million in financing). Because of the financial constraints, director Haggis filmed in his own house, borrowed a set from TV show Columbo, used his car in parts of the film, and, even used cars from other staff members. The movie has been extremely profitable, grossing more than $55 million, making more than 8 times its budget. Roger Ebert named Crash the best film of 2005. Several car accidents, shootings, and, carjackings bring together a group of strangers in Los Angeles. The film switches between different storylines in a style reminiscent of Robert Altman's films. Characters are from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, and racism and sexism feature in many scenes. Tagline: Live your life at the point of impact. Crash is a film that features an ensemble cast, considered somewhat a rarity in movies. Rick is the district attorney of Los Angeles. He was carjacked with his wife Jean, and he spends the movie trying to save his political career by showing that he is racially sensitive and still tough on law-and-order issues. Jean Rick's wife, who becomes paranoid of people who are of other races after the carjacking. Anthony is a petty crook who sells stolen cars to a corrupt business. Anthony perceives racism in almost everything around him. Peter is Anthony's partner in crime, who scoffs at Anthony's paranoia. Graham is Peter's brother, and a detective in the Los Angeles Police Department. He wants to prevent Peter from going to prison, for the sake of his mother who has become a drug addict. Flanagan is an aid to Rick who talks Graham into accepting a corrupt deal. Ria is a detective and Graham's girlfriend. Officer Ryan is a police officer who molests a black woman during a traffic stop. This causes his partner, Officer Hanson, to realize his partner's racist tendencies. Officer Ryan is also trying to get help for his father, who has what the viewer is led to believe is prostate cancer misdiagnosed as a bladder infection. Cameron is a Los Angeles television director who witnesses his wife getting molested by Officer Ryan and is mentally shaky for most of the movie as a result. Christine is Cameron's wife. She is molested by Officer Ryan after she and Cameron are pulled over. She become very angry with her husband because he does not say anything while she is being molested, but later has another encounter with Officer Ryan. Officer Hanson is Officer Ryan's partner. Officer Hanson asks for a solo patrol after witnessing Officer Ryan molesting Christine. He cannot complain about Officer Ryan because of the risk that it would pose to his career. Daniel is a Mexican-American locksmith who faces discrimination from Jean and others. He is seeking a safe environment for his young daughter. Farhad is a Persian store owner who is afraid for his safety. He quickly becomes angry when he believes that people are cheating him. |
