Film 50

Crash (2004)

Director: Paul Haggis

Has Fentablar seen this before?: No.

I have to admit right away that I was very impressed by Crash. This allegorical work is similar in style to such films as Magnolia and Grand Canyon - multiple, separate character arcs which relate/connect, either directly or indirectly, to one another.

There are several moments in Crash which have great emotional impact and add significant weight to the film's underlying messages - the most prevalent of which have to do with racial and societal relations, as well as family relations. In at least a few instances, one or more character arc will parallel with another seemingly to highlight certain aspects of the underlying messages - the execution of which had great effect on me.

Without having read nor partaken in a great deal of discussion regarding Crash, I have heard that there seems to be a great divide in appreciation for the film. During one discussion in which I did happen to partake, an individual defined the divide between those who see the film as parable and those who don't. For those who do not see Crash as parable, I can understand being put-off by the blatant racial overtones as well as the convenience of some ties between the character arcs - ultimately, if you don't see the film as parable I don't know that you will take much from the film. This film is not designed to present you with the individual stories of the characters so much as it means to serve as American social commentary. Crash is, in my opinion, extraordinary in this regard.

Ratings (scale of 1 to 5):

Plot Effectiveness: 5/5. The plot of Crash does well to virtually serve as the pane of glass through which we see the film's true messages.

Cinematography/Shot Selection: 5/5. Very clean, very crisp. Nothing about the cinematography is "in your face", either, which I feel is crucial to the film's execution.

Overall Acting: 5/5. As close to perfect as is humanly possible, all around. Perhaps it is simply the story which makes the characters so well-done, but in any case the players were nearly flawless.

Score/Soundtrack: 5/5. Thematics, thematics, thematics.

OVERALL RATING: 5/5

~Fentablar~