Crash - a 2004 Movie about Race Relations

Directed and written by: Paul Haggis

Release date: 2004

A star-studded cast includes: Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, William Fichtner, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Dashon Howard, Ludacris, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillipe, Larenz Tate, and Tony Danza

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 113 Minutes

Review:
Intended as "a wake-up blow to our complacency," this movie is about a White district attorney and his wife, whose car is hijacked, two car thieves who are checking out an upscale area looking for specific high-end cars requested by a chop shop, a prosperous Black couple coming home from an evening out, a racist White cop and his rookie partner, who is appalled at the older cop's behavior but doesn't have the nerve to speak up, and an Iranian shopkeeper who doesn't trust Whites or Blacks.

Parallel threads weave together during a car crash and the director reveals lingering tensions in Los Angeles.

Jeff Strickler reviews the movie in depth for the Star Tribune.