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How do you affect the lives of those around you?
Not just the people you know... everyone knows (sooner or later, usually) how they affect those they know.... but what about those you don't know? This was the question that haunted then television writer Paul Haggis for ten years before he finally started writing what became the screenplay of the film Crash. The short answer is: "for better and for worse". The long answer is well worth your time in viewing this beautiful film. Haggis and cowriter Robert Moresco interweave the stories of various and varied Los Angeles residents into a philosophical tapestry that is humorous, moving and profound, and suprisingly realistic.
Part of the realism comes from the fact that many of the stories either happened to one or the other of the writers, or came from people they knew. Another other part comes from a cast that is positively perfect. I won't mention names, because everyone deserves a mention for deeply committed and beautifully timed performances.
Shot on a shoestring, on spec, much of the talent working gratis, the photography is still warm and involving. The score is another gigantic plus - a combination of styles combines to deepen the emotion and the meaning of what we're seeing and the music is gorgeous. The film was shot on digital video, and there are scenes where, on a large screen, I missed film. On dvd though, you can't tell the difference.
Much of the dialogue is hilarious, and then you ask yourself if it's ok to laugh... which is part of the point. While both writers insist they didn't start out writing a script about race issues, this is unquestionably a film that will make you think along those lines. Actually, it will make you think along a lot of lines. This one's a keeper.
9/10
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Part of the realism comes from the fact that many of the stories either happened to one or the other of the writers, or came from people they knew. Another other part comes from a cast that is positively perfect. I won't mention names, because everyone deserves a mention for deeply committed and beautifully timed performances.
Shot on a shoestring, on spec, much of the talent working gratis, the photography is still warm and involving. The score is another gigantic plus - a combination of styles combines to deepen the emotion and the meaning of what we're seeing and the music is gorgeous. The film was shot on digital video, and there are scenes where, on a large screen, I missed film. On dvd though, you can't tell the difference.
Much of the dialogue is hilarious, and then you ask yourself if it's ok to laugh... which is part of the point. While both writers insist they didn't start out writing a script about race issues, this is unquestionably a film that will make you think along those lines. Actually, it will make you think along a lot of lines. This one's a keeper.
9/10