I picked up a copy of Crash on DVD this week because I had heard that it was a fantastic movie. Mary and I watched it last night.
I really wanted to like it, but I feel like it fell short. When I learned that it was awarded "Best Picture" by the Academy, I was amazed once again at how out of touch Hollywood is.
The central message of Crash is that racism is a bad thing.
No kidding.
The screenplay is so in your face and over the top with characters acting out their racist beliefs that it paints absolutely everyone as a racist. And, of course, everyone DOES have a little racist in them. We're human... we judge other people.. we're fallible. Tell me something I don't know.
There was absolutely no subtlety or nuances, saving those which the actors brought to their characters. The story itself was quite predictable. You knew going in that people's lives were going to be turned upside-down... that their beliefs would be challenged... and that their lives with intermingle somehow. But with so many stories taking place, and only 115 minutes to bring it all together, it was a mile wide and an inch deep.
A good movie makes me think long after the story has ended. This one did make me think, but not in the same way. It made me think "ick". And it made me wonder why the Academy gave this film the Best Picture award. As usual, they gave the award to a movie that they believed was "courageous" for dealing with a tough topic. But that's not a good enough reason in my book.
As for attempting to take a series of stories and weave them together where they touch each other, I believe Magnolia did this far better.
Racism is wrong. People are people... each created distinctly by God... each with value... each with feelings... each with purpose. If you didn't know this before watching Crash, it may be an eye opener. Otherwise, you'll feel like you are attending a lecture on the topic.
If I don't intent to view a movie twice, the DVD goes up for sale on Amazon.com. This one goes up for sale next week.
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