Crash (DVD, 2006, 2-Disc Director's Cut)

In high school most people in the United States have been taught that America is no longer a melting pot where different ethnicities are assimilated into one homogenous mix, but a tossed salad where people keep their differences from their ethnic backgrounds. The ethnic background includes aspects such as race, linguistics, religion, and culture. This knowledge frequently drifts into some unused part of the brain, as it slowly moves into oblivion. Nonetheless, the ethnic differences between people continue to exist in the United States, as people work and handle their personal matters on a daily basis. Crash tells a story of people from all parts of the world, as African-Americans, Asians, Caucasians, Hispanics, and Middle Easterners move through life and occasionally bump into each other by accident, a crash if you will.

Through daily interaction people accidentally connect with each other where stereotypes and generalizations are made based on assumptions from the brief incidents, previous events, and hearsay. This is often the result of simplified deduction, which could be colored by emotion and bias. The skewed perception of people with different ethnicity could also stem from appearance, gender, and the socioeconomic status of the observer and the observed. Paul Haggis directs several interesting characters from all walks of life such as police officers, criminals, locksmiths, storeowners, and TV directors. Some are caring while others neglect those around them. They have one thing in common with each other - no one is alike.

Instead of playing the card of racism in a black and white manner, Haggis cleverly intertwines all of the characters through a truly genuine approach. The origin of intolerance is being dissected through the camera that depicts the characters' behavior while also displaying the source of the behavior. Through the characters Haggis displays different emotions such as fear, anger, hatred, and love. These different emotions are expressed in different manners, as interactions between the characters accidentally appear. Some times the observed feelings are subtle, as when Jean (Sandra Bullock) in fear grabs Rick's (Brendan Fraser) arm while Anthony (Ludacris) and Peter (Larenz Tate) walk by them, which is even mentioned by Anthony. Another more overt example is when Farhad (Shaun Toub) speaks in Farsi to his daughter at a gun store in Persian, as the gun store manager throws out prejudicial comments toward Farhad.

Many of the scenes display racism, but the focus is on an incident before that triggered emotions such as rage, fear, and hatred. These powerful emotions burn violently inside each person when being hostile, as the individual regresses into simplistic thinking using their stereotypes and generalizations as guides. When each person regresses through anger someone always tends to get hurt either physically or emotionally. In turn this anger breeds more anger much like Hydra, as when one head is cut off two new heads grow out. The anger develops into fear of similar incidents which then is communicated to friends, media, or other channels of communication. Sometimes people simply neglect to inform others of racist behavior in fear of repercussions. Consequently, the fear brings about more negative generalizations that feed the hatred. In the story the hatred is directed toward people due to their ethnicity, as race is the easiest thing to observe since it rests within the skin color of each person.

Crash

This movie has several stories about racism that tie together and gives a look at how it affects others. If you are looking for an emotional movie that makes you stop and think about how real life is, then you will enjoy this one.

I originally saw this film in my sociology class and it was great, so when the 2-disc director's cut edition was released a few months ago, I decided to buy it and I found it to be the best price on Ebay for around $11 or so. Definitely a great purchase!!

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Features Actors:Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, Brendan Fraser, Ludacris, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Pena, Larenz Tate
Running Time:115 Min.
Rating:R
Genre:Drama

Graham (Don Cheadle) is a detective stretched thin between fighting with his partner and girlfriend, Ria (Jennifer Esposito), carrying for his drug-addicted mother, worrying over his missing brother, and investigating a shooting between cops that may be racially motivated. Jean (Sandra Bullock) is a rich white woman who is carjacked by two young black men. While she copes with her anger and prejudice, her district attorney husband, Rick (Brendan Fraser), is trying to spin the story in such a way that he won't lose either "the black vote or the law and order vote." Anthony (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges) and Peter (Larenz Tate), the carjackers who are constantly debating race politics, accidentally run over a "Chinaman" (actually a Korean man) on their way to sell the merchandise and are later shocked to find themselves confronted by an unexpected ethical dilemma. Officer Ryan (Matt Dillon) is a racist cop with a sick father and a lot of rationalizations for his prejudice. When he pulls over an upper-class black couple, Cameron (Terrence Howard) and Christine (Thandie Newton) with his partner Officer Hanson (Ryan Phillipe), he crosses a line and intentionally humiliates them both. After this traumatic experience, Cameron gets a new perspective on his status at work as a television director and Officer Hanson commits himself to "doing the right thing" and reporting his partner, not realizing where that path will take him. Dorri (Bahar Soomekh) is a young Persian woman trying to convince her shopkeeper father (Shaun Taub) not to buy a gun for his store. He does anyway and careens toward tragedy when he sets out to take revenge on a locksmith, Daniel (Michael Peña), trying to keep his young daughter safe.

This is a good movie, you have to pay attention since they go from one persons life to another.Would recommend to rent or buy.Hope this helps you decide.Thanks for reading! :)

This movie was very Intense, Dramatic, Painful, Heartfelt and Just Plain People living in this World of Confusion. This movie keeps your attention, makes you think deeply about yourself and will make you smile and then cry. I recommend this movie. I will make you relook at yourself and make you think about how you would react. Great Teacher!

this is an outstanding movie, it is gripping and puts you on the edge of your seat, after i saw it i got on the internet and bought it i just had to have it i bought it because there is an outstanding cast of charaters played by amazing actors and actresses that hit there marks on the head i would highly reccomend this movie to anyone who loves edge of your seat thrillers.

K.L.

When I sat an watched this movie the first time, my whole way of thinking was changed. I never really understood what racism really was and how deeply it is instilled in each of us because of simple misunderstanding. It brought racism to the forefront and right in our faces and was wonderfully done. I will say it took a lot of courage on the part of the writers, directors, cast and crew to put something like this together, but I fully believe that it was way over due. We, as a nation, needed it put right in our faces to show that we are really all the same. It doesn't matter what package we are in, we are all human beings and we all have our own struggles and good times, and we all have hearts and souls. I only hope that this movie touches others the way it has touched me.

I purchased this movie on DVD because it won the best picture Oscar and I had not seen it in the theater. It is a great movie, with incredibly great acting and moving story of people overcoming prejudice. I highly recommend it!!! A++++++++++++++++

One of my customers recommended this movie to me. I must say it was brilliant as its a movie which makes you think as-well pay attention instead of day dream through the "boring parts" lol Anyways amazing movie ... must see!!

Big names in this movie. Decent acting although there could have been more of a plot. I kinda thought there might be more of a story. It's worth the money to buy the movie. I would even have gone to the theater to see it...

I wanted a copy of this excellent movie that tells a story of how the lives of the characters are intertwined. It displays how what we do effects others in this world...no matter how great or small.

This movie is a real eye opener. It made me think of the way I prejudge people before I get to know them. Prejudging strangers is so common in our society that we do it without thinking. I have done it on several ocassions but after seeing this film, I try to keep an open mind. If you haven't seen this film, then you must go rent it.

This movie allows us to see all the issues that society has to deal with. Alot of times we choose to ignore dealing with these tough topics. This movie shows us how we are all interconnected and how our ignorance can effect other in the most indirect way. After this movie you will look at yourself in the mirror in a whole new way.

There is not enough words to express how good this movie is. It is so rare to have an entire cast of actors be sooooooo good at their parts. Usually there are only a couple of good actors that can hold their ground in a movie. But not with this movie. Every minute role was played to perfection.

i saw the ending of this movie and decided to see if anyone was selling it on ebay. i liked the movie and this way i saw the whole thing.

I bought it because it is a good action packed movie. The movie was a very good price and was widescreen like my family likes to watch.

This is an excellent thought provoking movie that should be in every households movie collection.I decided to purchase it after seeing the actors discussing it on the Oprah show.A great value for your money because it is true life.
Thelma