Crash (2005)

3.5 out of 4

Starring: Don Cheadle, Jennifer Esposito, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Larenz Tate, Brendan Fraser, Sandra Bullock, Michael Pena, Matt Dillon, Ryan Phillippe, Terrence Howard, Thandie Newton, Shaun Toub

Director: Paul Haggis

Time: 113 mins

Viewed: in home theatre

Searing portrait of race relations in modern Los Angeles, focusing on a disparate group of characters of various descents - black, white, Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern - whose chance encounters over a 2 day period lead to life-changing epiphanies. Powerful film shows the volatile side of prejudice, and that even the notional good guys can come off second best. One might wish for more development/aftermath of the Dillon/Newton subplot, but that is just nitpicking. Serious subject matter is handled superbly by scribe Haggis, and features fine acting by a top-notch cast.

(c) Joe Wong (29 October 2005)