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Crash
Crash: A Disturbing Mirror on Humanity
Thesis: The 2005 film Crash is an explosive exploration of prejudice.
I. Plot Summary A. Vignette structure B. Characters both positive and negative C. Inter-relatedness
II. Title as metaphor
A. Car accident
B. Accidental occurrence
C. “rough contact” (312)
D. Conflict of cultures
E. Destruction
F. Collision of opposing forces
G. Contrasts and contact
III. Symbolism
A. Vehicles
B. Christmas season
C. Snow
D. Occupations
E. Fire and ash
IV. Themes
A. Racism
B. Culture class
C. Class
D. Stereotypes
E. Inhumanity
F. Common humanity
Draft: Sample Film Analysis Essay Crash: A Disturbing Mirror on Humanity
Does everyone hate or dislike a certain type of person? Do people continuously make snap judgments of others based upon their appearance? Do people really believe in stereotypes they hear about other ethnicities? Are individuals naturally afraid of unfamiliar cultures? These questions are explored by Director Paul Haggis in the provocative 2005 film Crash. Set in contemporary Los Angeles, Crash is an explosive exploration of prejudice.
The plot of Crash consists of a series of inter-related vignettes about people of assorted ethnicities and socio-economic groups who come into contact with one another—often violently--over a 36-hour period. In the film the interaction of the characters causes viewers to question stereotypes while at the same time acknowledging the grain of truth they contain. Because the vignettes are all related, with characters in one reappearing in another, viewer are able to see various sides of a character: a character shown committing a racist act in one scene is depicted in an act of kindness in another. This structure stresses the interrelationship of human-beings and underscores the complexities of prejudice and
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