Crash Review

Few films this year will make you sit up and take as much notice as "Crash". Part inspired by writer / director Paul Haggis's own car-jacking in LA, what evolved from that experience was a script that sees various characters interacting over a 36 hour period in the City of Angels. These include a DA (Brendan Fraser) and his wife (Sandra Bullock) who've just become victims of crime, a Persian shop owner (Shaun Toub) who's recently acquired his first gun, and an angry cop (Matt Dillon) who seems to get his kicks from tormenting black drivers.

What follows over the next hour and forty minutes is a powerful and unflinching look at the attitudes that this cross section of society hold towards their fellow man, attitudes mainly formed by the colour of people's skin. For example one black car thief (Ludacris) sees racism everywhere he looks, claiming that the FBI invented rap to oppress the black man, while also alleging that city busses are designed to embarrass those riding them. Others though try to have a bit more faith in humanity, as Ryan Phillippe's idealistic young cop illustrates. Along the way some characters are offered the chance at redemption while others see their lives fall apart around them, but all experience potentially life-changing moments.

And director Haggis crafts it all beautifully, drawing some wonderful performances from his cast (especially Don Cheadle and Dillon) while balancing the emotionally charged scenes with some moments of real tenderness - you won't be able to watch Michael Pena's heart-to-heart with his young daughter without getting a lump in your throat. Tough but tender, "Crash" could well be an early Oscar contender.