A surprise winner of Best Picture at the 78th Academy
Awards, Crash features an
intertwining narrative set over two days in Los Angeles. Not to be confused with David
Cronenberg’s 1996 film of the same name (as I did), the movie features a series
of stories, each with a theme of racism. A large ensemble cast that includes
the likes of Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, Thandie Newton, Brendan
Fraser and Terence Howard compete for screen time but each is given just enough
to serve their purpose.
I’ve never felt an urge to watch Crash and only really did so as part of my Best Picture Series. While
it isn’t a bad film, I’m more than a little surprised it won film’s top award
in 2005. Unusually for me I’ve only actually seen one more of the Best Picture
nominees from that year, Capote,
which itself was fine but not what I’d consider film of the year quality. Crash’s win may come down to the fact
that 2004 was a poor year for film as it is one of the weakest Oscar winners I’ve
seen so far.
