Crash (2004)

Should probably start by saying that I am a white male, raised protestant, in what is arguably the most privileged country in the history of history. Crash is all about hot, spicy racism but the script gets so caught up in trying to depict different ways to be racist, and different ways for people to feel bad about themselves for being secretly racist, that it forgets to try to build its characters beyond any kind of archetype. Screenwriter Paul Haggis seems determined to smash you over the head with agenda after agenda for the first half and then pulls a few too-convenient contrivances to wrap up, gives you a a last second here-we-go-again, and is off on another adventure. Luckily, most of this is saved from what would've been garden variety obscurity by great acting (I think Terrance Howard might be the next Denzel) and generally excellent directing, ironically by screenwriter Paul Haggis. There are a few really remarkable moments in the movie that fill you with wide-eyed wonder and power, and the mixing up of the broken narrative is handled exceptionally well, managing to keep you involved and interested in each of the separate threads. What the film lacks in depth due to a slipshod script, it makes up for in pure filmcraft almost completely. I'm not the kind of person who gives an okay movie extra points just for tackling a difficult and relevant subject, but it is a true testament to Paul Haggis's skill in calling the shots, and his casts' skill in receiving them, that his script is not only saved, but quite watchable.

8 out of 10.