Crash…….straight into me…!
One wonders with that opening line from Don Cheadle’s character how we are going to be shown through this epic film, is it going to haunt us, confuse us, control us, upset us, or bring joy? by the time the credits role and a number of tears have rolled down your face you will realise that its all of the above and more. This Oscar winning film (and thus given a wide berth so as to avoid the hype) is one of the most destroyingly honest films I’ve seen in a long time. Its not about what shoes go best with that dress, or whether the girl will get the guy which she always will, this is about honesty, and truth hurts…alot! This is one of those films that may shock you to the core, or merely reassert any beliefs you have already, but even if you assume you know everything about the black vs white culture of modern day, think again, even when you think you have each person sussed, something comes at you like a thousand ton train and there is nothing you can do about it, but let it shock you, upset you, demean your world, and bring you back up to the surface gasping for air, this is the type of film that you can watch again and again. Crash is a film that brings it all to the forefront, a nude film thats risking it all by flashing its opinions to the world, and for that it does well, the acting is outstanding, each single character stands out for thier own purpose, whether you hate, love, or are indifferent to the worlds that these people live in, there is no escaping the effect that they will have on you, you were brought into there world…and it will take a damn hard struggle to free yourself!
“No. Fact, if anybody should be scared, it’s us: the only two black faces surrounded by a sea of over-caffeinated white people, patrolled by the triggerhappy LAPD. So, why aren’t we scared? ”
Remind me who does film again?! Some incredibly valid comments there. I think Hollywood is definitely going back to its best. A lot of the pictures that were honoured during the awards season hark back to the ‘New Hollywood’ period of the 1970s, when Hollywood made films that provoked throught and visually expressed areas of topicality with society. I’m glad that for once, it seems to have realised we all want a little more thought placed in the filmic process, and that some want more from their cinema than the kiss kiss bang bang of popcorn mainstream films.