Crash

   Monique Gramling

#924889

Assignment #2

Crash 

    Paul Haggis is a screenwriter and director, who is no stranger to Hollywood. Early in his career he was a writer for such television sitcoms as: Different Strokes and Who's The Boss. Paul Haggis is not only the writer for Million Dollar Baby, but also wrote the screenplay for the 2004 hit Crash.  

   Crash is a complex movie that contains hurt, coldness, cruelty, and hope. Throughout this movie there is a strong use of violence and extreme cultural stereotypes (i.e. African American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Caucasian) used to convey the message of hope.

People of different cultures can relate to the stereotypes portrayed in the movie. For instance when the two police officers who are dating are playing, Don Cheadle refers to his lover as Mexican although he really had no idea what country she originated from. Some people may take it offensive because it addresses issues people may not want to believe exist. Some may reject the film because the stereotypes are offensive and people may be in denial. Even though it would be easier to see this as a movie about issues revolving around the color of our skin or the country we are born in, I found it to be more about being human and dealing with the countless misunderstandings we endure on a daily basis. Whether we realize it or not, we take part in these things on a daily basis; and despite our weaknesses we are capable of amazing acts of courage. Despite our goodness, we are capable of much evil; any of which transcends color, country of origin, religious belief, or socioeconomic status.
    Something I really liked about this film uses an obvious and sometimes comical racial undertone. The film displays just how judgmental people are - but leaves the audience to decide if this attitude is right or wrong - or both - or neither.

   This movie was created to bring awareness of the stereotypical conditions of society. Society's view is that everything is equal and fair, and that everyone is treated as such. Crash challenges society's view of what is supposed to be fair. This movie exposes what some of us face on a daily basis. This drama teaches how society categorizes or judges us. It also exploits how we are judges by age, gender, culture, race, and socioeconomic status; whereas God judges on works and faith as a Christian and not by what category we necessarily fall in. "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone" (James 2:24)