Writer/Director: Paul Haggis
Starring: Michael Pena, Matt Dillon and Sandra Bullock
‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’
Not many actors possess charisma of Michael Peña. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Pena has become a beloved icon. Whether it is racist police officers, thieves facing dangers or comic-book heroes, Pena has played powerful characters. Arguably, Peña’s finest strength as an actor has always been his likeable nature. He is one of those rare actors that has often had a likeable appeal most stars don’t have. Through his willingness to take risks in career, Pena has become a beloved actor audiences value. An actor with born with abilities to steal the show in every movie, Pena has created an enduring legacy. Although he is often resorted to supporting roles in most movies, Pena has always managed to leave a strong impression. A Mexican icon, Pena has become a commemorated actor that audiences value. Throughout his lasting career, Pena has made many unforgettable films which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Pena and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Crash” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2004, Paul Haggis’ Oscar-winning movie examined racism in Los Angeles. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest crime dramas ever made. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Michael Pena, who plays a conflicted father struggling to raise his family in a racist country. Ultimately, what makes “Crash” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about Los Angeles, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about prejudice that would definitely resonate with everyone. A spellbinding masterpiece that captures the dangers of racism, there’s many strong reasons why “Crash” is a great film that is worth seeing.
Set in post 9/11 Los Angeles, “Crash” tells story of several individuals impacted by racism that is brash. Michael Pena plays Daniel, a Mexican shopkeeper that works for a celebrated district attorney. Daniel has often excelled at doing his job providing for a wealthy while family. He has always shared a strong bond with Jean Cabot (Sandra Bullock), his boss. However, his life forever changes when he faces racism causing disaster. Facing a dilemma, he questions whether it’s possible to live in a city that causes trauma. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Daniel begins to question if it’s possible to overcome racism that causes disaster. Questioning his place in a city, Daniel wonders whether he will ever be able to find happiness that’s become impossible to face.
Paul Haggis is a newcomer towards themes of racism. Before he directed “Crash”, Haggis had never made a movie about racism in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tensions endured by individuals facing racism in L.A., but he pulled it off. Using strong cinematography, Haggis captures the lives of individuals impacted by racism in L.A. Haggis effectively uses handheld cameras to capture tensions that individuals in Los Angeles which encounter racism are facing. For instance, the handheld cinematography elevates the police scene. During this intense scene, Cameron and his wife face a dilemma when they are stopped by police causing disaster. Through engaging camerawork, Haggis captures tensions which people in a racist city face. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in films. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” claimed, handheld camera elevates movies about sharks with sharp jaws. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Haggis captures the tension that individuals affected by racism are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Crash” that merits appreciation is the production. Haggis’ choice to shoot the movie in real-life locations in L.A. is risky but works immensely. Inspired by Curtis Hanson’s “L.A. Confidential”, Haggis effectively uses locations in Los Angeles to capture tense racism that residents are facing. For instance, the real-life locations elevate the car hijacking scene. During this tense scene, a pair of black criminals hijack a car of a wealthy family. One appreciates real-life L.A. locales capturing the tensions criminals are facing. Real-life locales are tricky techniques. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” suggested, L.A. locations elevate movies about Hollywood. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Mark Isham’s commemorated music is key to success of the film. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere by capturing the heavy burden racist individuals bear. Through bold production design, Haggis captures the lives of racist individuals facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Crash” is a film about racism that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silences to capture the tensions individuals in a doomed city are facing. Haggis’ strength as a screenwriter is his ability to capture tensions faced by individuals affected by racism in Los Angeles through silence. For instance, silence enhances the final collision scene. During this intense scene, the lives of countless people in L.A. collide that face an act of racism. Through silence, Haggis creates compelling characters that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a complicated technique to use in films. Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” claimed silence elevates movies about the Holocaust. As John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” proved, silence is suited to horror films about apocalypse. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Haggjs captures the lives of individuals impacted by racism in L.A.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Michael Pena delivers one of his best career performances as Daniel. Pena gained praise for playing comic-book characters in Marvel movies. With “Crash”, however, he took upon his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to play a poverty-stricken father that faces racism in a doomed city, but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a thief struggling to care for his family in a dark city. Pena has always had an aptitude playing tense characters under pressure, and “Crash” exhibits his strength as an actor, It’s a riveting performance from one of the most celebrated actors working in Hollywood today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Michael Pena, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Thandie Newton is terrific, capturing the tension faced by a black woman that becomes a victim of a racist cop that caused tension. Don Cheadle is dazzling, capturing the stressful obstacles of a detective whose job involves racism which is painful. Finally, Sandra Bullock merits praise. As a conflicted woman encountering racism, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Crash” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the tensions caused by racism. Unlike most movies about L.A., the film tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, marriage and racism which would absolutely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be citizens of L.A. to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about prejudice that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Crash” is one of those rare commemorated films about racism everyone would adore.
Fans of Michael Pena will definitely appreciate “Crash” and so will movie-goers seeking tense entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours a legendary actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about complicated individuals affected by frightening racism in Los Angeles facing obstacles that are challenging, it’s a riveting reminder of a talented actor that has built a larger-than-life legacy earning a tremendous fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in commemorated movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 