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| Movie Review: Crash Alternate Title: Six Degrees of Racist Separation
Story: Mea culpa! I have no
idea what took me so long to see this terrific and compelling film (apologies
to the Lobo readers who have been telling me to see it). Perhaps it
was in the marketing - who knows? But don't let this cinematic diamond
leave your town before you see it. Writer, producer and first time director Paul
Haggis (wrote Million Dollar Baby) scores big with
an ensemble cast in fast moving film. It is about a collision of ideology,
culture, class and race. No one is spared the sharp writing pen of Haggis.
It is present day Los Angeles with its melting pot of characters. We
have Asians, Middle Easterners, Latinos, Blacks and whites all on a
collision course as their lives collide and intersect. No one is the
stereotype they seem. Every character has layers and as the film unfolds
we get more and more involved with each one. Run (but don't crash into anyone) to catch this
memorable film. It is funny, poignant, truthful and well done. Acting: Everyone is terrific. Special kudos to the
always sincere Don Cheadle. Matt Dillon
performs better than I have seen him in a long time. Ludacris,
Thandie Newton, Terrance Dashon Howard, Sandra Bullock, Brendan Fraser,
Ryan Phillippe and Jennifer Esposito all added
to this fine film.
Predilection: None.
Food: Don't remember much in the way of food. There
was some stale milk.
Soundtrack: Music by Mark Isham was great.
Theater Audience: A few lucky viewers and me.
Squirm Scale: There are some tense moments that I
found borderline squirmy.
Drift Factor: Not for a second.
Predictability Level: I gave up trying to figure
out what was going to happen and just sat back and let the film unfold.
Oscar Worthy: Yes
Soap Box: Why can't we all just get along?
Nit Picking: No nits in this fine film.
Big Screen or Rental: Go for the big screen. For
some of Don Cheadle's other films, try renting: Hotel
Rwanda, The United States of Leland, Ocean's Eleven, Traffic, Out of
Sight, Bulworth, Boogie Nights and Devil in a Blue Dress.
Length:Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 9
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