Crash (2004)
Plot and Structure:
Crash takes place in a modern day Los Angeles in the time span of approximately 36 hours. The plot of the movie is told between multiple characters, all of which are of different class and backgrounds but all share prejudice towards people who aren’t of the same race. All of the events unfolding are in chronological and sometimes simultaneous order. The movie begins with one of our main characters, Detective Graham Waters (Don Cheadle) Waters and his partner/girlfriend Ria (Jennifer Esposito) reacting to a literal car crash. An asian woman who can barely speak English tries to explain the situation and Ria scoffs at her for not even being able to speak correct English. This plays to a subtle stereotype that asians can’t drive. This same asian woman is seen hitting another character at the end of the movie.
One day prior, Farhad (Shaun Toub) and his daughter Dorri (Bahar Soomekh) are seen buying a gun from a local gunshop. He gets into an argument with the owner and he is asked to leave. Dorri purchases the gun from him and gets a box of bullets to go with it. In another place that same night, the Cabots are out in a nice part of town when they are carjacked by Anthony (Chris Bridges) and Peter (Larenz Tate) who drive off in their Lincoln Navigator. This establishes that Anthony and Peter are the stereotypical black gang members/criminals which is another stereotype.
Later when they return home, Jean (Sandra Bullock) asks Rick (Brendan Frazier) to have the locks changed again, even after Luiz (Michael Pena) has already changed the because she believes that he will sell their key to someone. This establishes her fear and frustration with Blacks and Latinos as well as establishes Rick’s fear of losing popularity as the district attorney.
In another part of the city, LAPD officers John Ryan (Matt Dillon) and Tom Hansen (Ryan Phillipe) pull over a Navigator, with the Thayers in it. John proceeds to pat them down and in the process
Crash takes place in a modern day Los Angeles in the time span of approximately 36 hours. The plot of the movie is told between multiple characters, all of which are of different class and backgrounds but all share prejudice towards people who aren’t of the same race. All of the events unfolding are in chronological and sometimes simultaneous order. The movie begins with one of our main characters, Detective Graham Waters (Don Cheadle) Waters and his partner/girlfriend Ria (Jennifer Esposito) reacting to a literal car crash. An asian woman who can barely speak English tries to explain the situation and Ria scoffs at her for not even being able to speak correct English. This plays to a subtle stereotype that asians can’t drive. This same asian woman is seen hitting another character at the end of the movie.
One day prior, Farhad (Shaun Toub) and his daughter Dorri (Bahar Soomekh) are seen buying a gun from a local gunshop. He gets into an argument with the owner and he is asked to leave. Dorri purchases the gun from him and gets a box of bullets to go with it. In another place that same night, the Cabots are out in a nice part of town when they are carjacked by Anthony (Chris Bridges) and Peter (Larenz Tate) who drive off in their Lincoln Navigator. This establishes that Anthony and Peter are the stereotypical black gang members/criminals which is another stereotype.
Later when they return home, Jean (Sandra Bullock) asks Rick (Brendan Frazier) to have the locks changed again, even after Luiz (Michael Pena) has already changed the because she believes that he will sell their key to someone. This establishes her fear and frustration with Blacks and Latinos as well as establishes Rick’s fear of losing popularity as the district attorney.
In another part of the city, LAPD officers John Ryan (Matt Dillon) and Tom Hansen (Ryan Phillipe) pull over a Navigator, with the Thayers in it. John proceeds to pat them down and in the process