FILM REVIEW: CRASH Dir: Paul Haggis. Starring: Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Trevor Dashon Howard, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillipe, Brendan Fraser If anyone had tried to persuade me on the first of January that one of 2005's finest and most intelligent films would have Ryan Phillipe, Sandra Bullock and Brendan Fraser in it, I'd have laughed in their face for at least a few hours. Just the idea of it sounds ludicrous, doesn't it? Unless you're a fan of vaguely annoying acting that is. But no, it's absolutely true. Crash is a memorizing, endlessly intriguing and intensely intelligent film, and probably the best we'll see from the US this year. Directed and co-written and by Million Dollar Baby scribe Paul Haggis,
	Crash details two nights and one day in Los Angeles, and in an Altman-esque fashion follows the lives of various individuals who live in the city. As much about class as it is race, Haggis doesn't offer up easy answers or clichéd situations, but starkly realistic events which will provoke much discussion as you leave the cinema. It's tempting to make this a spoiler filled review, and to dissect each character in depth, but part of the fascination of the film is seeing how events play out, how characters change and develop, and so to not spoil your enjoyment of the film, I'll resist the temptation this one time. Crash is also one of those films where the whole cast will surprise you. Yes, even such normally tedious actors like Fraser and Bullock manage great performances, whilst Cheadle, Bridges, and especially Newton are on top form, you'll find yourself caring for even the most morally dubious characters because of the strength of the acting on display here. Almost every character pulls the rug from underneath you at one point or another, as moments in the film force you to revaluate how you might feel about them, and that's really the films main strength. Whilst it may sound all too grim from the outset, it's surprisingly humourous at times, and even heartwarming, though only occasionally. Its closure isn't too bleak either - whilst it undoubtedly highlights that these are troubled times we live in, it offers hope in unusual places, without feeling saccharine or unrealistic. Made for under seven million dollars, though looking like a film which cost at least quadruple that, Crash is easily the finest film released in the last few months, and will without doubt take a high place in critics end of year lists. In yet another lackluster Summer, this is the perfect anti-dote to the brain-numbing that blockbusters induce. Alex Finch. Agree / Disagree with this review? Then tell us on the garbled forums.
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