91 movies have been revealed. 9 more to go. As I've said before, a lot of the movies I have picked are not Oscar winners or even critically acclaimed. This movie though, #9 on my list, is exactly that. A movie that makes you think and a movie that may even make you a better person with each and every watch.
9. Crash (2004)Starring Brendan Fraser, Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Jennifer Esposito, Larenz Tate, Ludacris, Thandie Newton, Terence Howard, Ryan Phillippe, Matt Dillon, Michael Pena, Bahar Soomekh, Shaun Toub, Loretta Devine
Directed by Paul Haggis
The tagline to this amazing movie is "Moving at the speed of life, we are bound to collide with each other." Think about that for a little. The tagline is not referring to you and me. No, the "we" there is referring to us as a society. A society that is full of people of different races, classes, education levels, religions, backgrounds, and more. No matter how hard we may try, if we just truly live our lives, we are bound to run into someone who is not like us. For most of us, that's no big deal. But for lots of others, it brings about stereotypes, prejudices, and thoughts that have no place in a welcome and accepting society. "Crash" looks at those people and how it impacts our everyday lives.
Trying to explain this plot even in summary is hard to do if you haven't seen the movie. The best way to do it is to write that this is a movie about a dozen characters who stories/lives inter-weave over a span of 36 hours. Many of the encounters are not pleasant, as all of the characters seem to have preconceived notions about another character, and mainly due to their race. Opinions change as the movie goes on but only after events that keep this story moving and connect these people in ways they never thought they would be connected.
I can point to lots of reasons why this movie is one of my favorites. The first of which is its exploration into racism. Besides some cupcake classes I took in college, the classes I enjoyed most outside of my major were my two sociology classes. I am fascinated in why people do the things they do and how people become who they are. Whether it be because of their background or because of recent events, it's just an interest of mine. Of course, it's not my business but for me, learning how people got to where they are in their lives and how they operate is a way for me to become a more well-rounded person.
So when this movie discusses racism, it caught my attention immediately. And it's not just Black and White. Not, this movie show interactions between Hispanics, Asians, and Iranians along with Blacks and Whites. In every case when someone from one race sees the other, stereotypes are mentioned. One race feels threatened by the other even though there is nothing to be threatened by. Stereotypes are broken by some of the race but then reinforced by other in the same race. It's truly remarkable how this movie is so careful to not dial in on just one race but at the same time, not hold anything back in how people perceive others this day and age.
Youtube Clip
But it's more than the fact they we explore racism. It's the amazing screenplay written by Paul Haggis (who wrote "Million Dollar Baby" as well). Despite having over a dozen "main" characters, you get to know each and every one of them so well that you never feel like any are racist but instead creatures of habit because of the way they have lived or live now.
Take for instance Matt Dillon's character. An LAPD cop that has been on the job for 20 years. On the surface, he is incredibly rough and what he does at a traffic stop near the beginning of the movie is downright wrong. But later, you see a different dimension of him as he takes care of his sick Dad, who has a bladder problem that keeps Dillon up all night. When he asks for help, he is denied by the HMO simply because his Dad does not qualify. The stress this puts on him causes him to grow angry and lash out. I could go on but the scene is too powerful to just put into words. Instead, just watch it.
Matt Dillon Scene
You see, we live in a very cynical world. A world that too often judges people way too quickly, you know, the book by its cover if you will. It's a terrible thing. Any many times, it is those judgements that start stereotypes and those stereotypes do not die. Just think. If people would give everyone a fair chance at the start, there wouldn't be all this hatred. Unfortunately, that is not the case in this world. Instead, we are stuck with a lot of people with a lot of prejudice hatred in their hearts simply because they are unwilling to accept change or accept others for being different than themselves.
This movie does do a great job of showing how people can reform themselves though. Granted this movie to an extreme but in many cases, that is what it takes for people to change their perceptions of others. It wasn't overnight White people began accepting Black people. It took people like Jackie Robinson to convince White people that Blacks aren't inferior. It took many others in many other races to do the same. Every day, even I have to deal with the constant racial jabs, whether harmless or harmful, simply because people are still somewhat uncomfortable being around someone that is different from them. Yeah, I dish it out at times as well but trust me, it gets old hearing it from the same people all the time. They mean nothing by it but ultimately, they just continue a stereotype or prejudice and that's sad.
For example, Ryan Phillippe's character is one many would relate to as someone who upholds the law and respects all people, no matter their race. But yet, there are demons inside him and prejudices/stereotypes in him that show up at a time when they did not need to. (SPOILER: If you have not seen this movie, don't watch this clip.)
"Crash" calls attention to this phenomenon through these characters and through these stories. You find yourself lost in this movie. Since it is only over a 36-hour period, you are not overwhelmed. Instead, you are kept in the loop of their intertwining stories and able to form your opinions of each character in their particular situation. And while each of them have something about them you should dislike or despise, there is a moment with each character in this movie where you feel sympathetic for them. You relate to their situation in some way. You've been there and felt that. That's the mark of a great movie.
It is hard for me to not put this movie higher honestly. If I could teach one college class, it would simply be a study of this movie. There are so many things to discuss that a whole quarter or semester on it may still not be enough. Because it's about more than just racism. It's about social classes, a broken healthcare system, a corrupt justice department, immigration, crime, and more. And thanks to the great performances by the actors in this movie (there's a reason I listed 14 in the "starring section"), you never feel like you're watching a movie. Instead, you are watching Los Angeles in the year 2004 and all its racist glory. You are watching people speak their minds and stand up for what they believe in. You are watching stereotypes be broken and reinforced. You are watching people change their perceptions and lives being changed.
There is still a lot of change that needs to be done in this world. Trust me, I would know. This movie tries to call attention to the problem. It's now up to each one of us to address it within ourselves and others.
TRAILER
Knowing this movie like I do, this trailer just makes me want to see the whole movie right now. Great stuff.
MEMORABLE QUOTES
Graham: It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something.
Cameron: I mean, sooner or later, you gotta find out what it's really like to be black.
Christine: Oh, fuck you man! Like you'd know! The closest you ever came to being black, Cameron, was watching "The Cosby Show".
Cameron: Yeah, well, at least I wasn't watching it with the rest of the equestrian team.
Rick: Saddam? His name's Saddam? Oh, that's real good, Bruce. Yeah, I'm gonna pin a medal on an Iraqi named Saddam. Give yourself a raise, will you?
Officer Ryan: You think you know who you are?
(Officer Hansen nods)
Officer Ryan: You have no idea
I apologize for the lack of embedded clips but apparently "Crash" clips are being cracked down on in that regard. Whatever though. On to #8. Here's your tease:
Tease for #8 - The only one of my top ten movies to be released after I made my initial movie list in December 2008.
Hakuna Matata
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