'Crash'

Film Review # 113370

African-American Studies > Racism
Film > Analysis, Criticism, Etc.
Latin-American Studies > Race, Class, Gender Issues

'Crash'

A review of the movie "Crash," directed by Paul Haggis, which examines racism in modern day Los Angeles and American society as a whole.

1,579 words () | 0 sources | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the movie "Crash," directed by Paul Haggis, as an analogy of how we as a society deal with life, people and our own experiences when it comes to race. The writer gives several examples from the movie, beginning with the opening scene, to demonstrate that Haggis' goal is to point out that American society places racial stereotyping on each and every race, leaving none untouched. The writer explains how the movie shows that it not only occurs between strangers, but also amongst those in committed relationships, such as Detective Graham and his girlfriend Ria. Further, out of ignorance it is extended to other races, as in the scene with the Persian father and daughter in the gunshop, where the viewer is reminded that after 9/11, all Middle Eastern people became potential terrorists in the eyes of American society.

From the Paper:

"In one of the first scenes of the movie, Jean Cabot and her husband, District Attorney Rick Cabot are walking down the street in a predominately white L.A. neighborhood when they begin to approach two black men. Jean clutches her husband's arm out of fear. As they reach their car, Jean's fears are confirmed; the two black men hold them at gunpoint and steal the car. After the incident happens, she blames herself because she knew she was going to be car jacked by the two black men and her angry rant begins to reveal her racist views toward blacks. Haggis uses this scene to point out that even in such an inconspicuous situation, with no proper reason to become suspicious, Americans ultimately give in to their bias stereotypes. This is an example of racial stereotyping that we and our society as a whole face today each day."