Crash, in my opinion, is a five-star movie with a top-notch cast of many well known actors and actresses such as Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, Ryan Phillippe, and Ludacris. Crash demonstrates the many different prejudices and stereotypes that have occurred before and after the terrorists attack on 9/11. It is a thought provoking drama, which engages (that encourages) the audience to face up to the reality of today’s society. The most depressing aspect of this movie is the fact that so many of the events that take place throughout the film are true. It is a daring attempt to break the mold from the typical movie script and it does so masterfully. It focuses on the dark side of humanity that we all choose to ignore. The part in ourselves that perhaps we are not very proud of, and the part we see in others that we do not really admire.

The movie takes place in Los Angeles and has several different storylines all going on at once, but in the end it all “crashes” together. “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.” (Graham, Crash) Their (The) characters are comprised of many different races, and each race is given a different stereotype that is portrayed throughout the movie. The film begins with the stereotype of blacks in our society, even touching on the stereotypes of the light African American within the black community. The fears about our lack of trust with the police and law enforcement in general. . Although some characters are portrayed as less racist than others, they all still hold some stereotypical attitude toward another race. For example, the movie follows a Persian family adapting to life in America, amidst the hardship of a post 9/11 atmosphere. The film makes it a point to show how the parent, obviously from an older generation, are having a harder time adapting to our culture more so than their daughter who is acclimating quite well. Next, the story follows Brendan Fraser as a wealthy district attorney running for a second term, with his “trophy wife”, Sandra Bullock, by his side. His wife, although beautiful, wakes up every morning angry, never really happy and never knowing why. Always holding certain stereotypes against different races, she is finally working on discovering what true happiness in life is like when she has an accident, only to be saved by the same Hispanic housekeeper, which she has treated so poorly and condescendingly. The story then goes back to Fraser who continues to worry how the African American population will view him after being robbed by two African American men. The next character introduced is a Latino husband with a heart-breaking story of trying to raise his daughter with good morals and values, which truly touches my heart. He clearly demonstrates he would do absolutely anything to protect his five-year-old daughter, and sacrifices being discriminated against as a gang member, simply because he is full of tattoos. He may have had a rough past, but he was working hard as a locksmith to have a bright future. Their relationship is special and ultimately climaxes in a poignant and heart- wrenching moment that should not be described here, but must be seen. The next storyline is about an African American man is trying to make a name for himself in a production company which is dominated by a white staff. He is constantly confronted with racial issues not only from his staff and cast, but his own wife. His wife suffered a humiliating police attack at the hands of a white cop. A few scenes later this same obnoxious police officer confronts the same woman, coincidently when her car flips over on the road. Now the one person she hated and feared the most must save her life.

These are only a few of the tales of the wonderfully crafted web the director weaves. These tales, although completely different, are each comprised of a common element. There is a truth behind each character and each character allows the audience to relate on many different levels. Director Paul Haggis is a genius with his masterpiece Crash. If 9/11 did not open up your eyes to the ignorance in this world, then this movie certainly will. Take the time and spend the money, because the movie Crash will take you places in your heart that we so often choose to ignore.