Crash (2004)
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A series of interconnected lives in Los Angeles collide in a narrative exploring the complexities of racial and social tensions.
The story
In the sprawling landscape of Los Angeles, the lives of several individuals—including a pair of detectives, a district attorney, and a group of young men—become intertwined through a series of incidents. Following a minor car collision and a high-stakes carjacking, the characters navigate a city where racial and social tensions simmer beneath the surface. As the narrative unfolds, the actions of one character ripple through the lives of others, forcing them to confront their own prejudices and the complexities of urban life. The film explores how these disparate lives are connected by the shared experience of navigating a divided society.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows several interconnected storylines in Los Angeles. Detective Graham Waters and his partner Ria are involved in a collision with Kim Lee, leading to a tense exchange. Simultaneously, two young Black men, Anthony and Peter, carjack the vehicle of District Attorney Rick Cabot and his wife Jean. The narrative weaves through various scenes: a police officer, Sergeant John Ryan, performs a disturbing search on a woman in a car; a locksmith, Daniel Ruiz, deals with a suspicious client; and a detective, Conklin, is involved in a fatal shooting of another officer. The plot culminates in a series of tragic coincidences, including the death of Peter (who is revealed to be Waters' brother) and the discovery of a group of Cambodian immigrants in a van. The film concludes by highlighting the interconnectedness of these characters as they navigate the complexities of race, class, and morality in a modern urban environment.
- First release year
- 2004
- Runtime (minutes)
- 112
- Production countries
- United States; Germany
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Paul Haggis
- Writers
- Paul Haggis · screenplay; Robert Moresco · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Sandra Bullock; Don Cheadle; Matt Dillon; Jennifer Esposito; William Fichtner; Brendan Fraser; Terrence Howard; Chris "Ludacris" Bridges; Thandiwe Newton; Ryan Phillippe; Larenz Tate
- Genres
- crime; drama
- Themes
- racial tension; social tension
- Tone and mood
- raw; unsettling
- Premise and plot tags
- multi-character; urban
- Content notes
- sexual assault
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the direction and performances but criticized the portrayal of race relations as simplistic and unsubtle.
- Awards and nominations
- Best Picture · Academy Awards · 78th Academy Awards · won; Best Original Screenplay · Academy Awards · 78th Academy Awards · won; Best Film Editing · Academy Awards · 78th Academy Awards · won; Best Original Screenplay · British Academy Film Awards · won; Best Supporting Actress · British Academy Film Awards · won; Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture · Screen Actors Guild Award · won; Best Original Screenplay · Writers Guild of America Award · won; Best Supporting Actor · Academy Awards · nominated; Best Supporting Actor · British Academy Film Awards · nominated; Best Supporting Actor · Golden Globe Awards · nominated; Best Supporting Actor · Screen Actors Guild Awards · nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was inspired by a real-life incident in which Haggis's Porsche was carjacked in 1991.; The film was the first Best Picture winner to be released on Blu-ray Disc in the US.; The film was the lowest-grossing film at the domestic box office to win Best Picture since The Last Emperor in 1987.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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