Crash - film essay

2005: To what extent do you agree that the techniques of film are ideally suited to the treatment of
themes?
Discuss your views with close reference to the treatment of a key theme in a film (or films) you
have studied, referring in detail to at least TWO techniques.

This question asks you to consider the suitability of Paul Haggis' techniques for the delivery of the theme of racism in his film. You can praise his techniques and - if you feel confident enough - can add an element of criticism. This film won three Oscars in 2006, including Best Picture (also best editing and best original screenplay). However, it has also attracted criticism for being over-the-top: stereotypes on steroids, one critic said.

One plan is to discuss the film's dialogue, cinematography and symbolism.

Here is an example of one paragraph and a possible conclusion as shown in class today, Friday 17 August.

Another technique which is ideally suited to conveying themes is the use of symbols and motifs. Symbolic images have layers of meaning and appeal to the imagination and emotions. Haggis sets his film at Christmas time in Los Angeles during one of the coldest winters the city has ever experienced. In the director's commentary he says that "if it can snow in LA then there's hope for all of us". The last shot of the film is a bird's eye view of a crash scene with reverse tracking back to show a larger view of the city with the snow falling gently with the lyrics of the soundtrack saying "some day I'm going to find a way". Snow symbolism had been foreshadowed earlier in a shot of Cameron after his cathartic anger at the police. He felt a sense of release and redemption, getting out of his car to see softly falling flakes of what turned out to be ash. The shot of the falling snow on the usually warm and racially divided city is a nice touch which wraps the film's conflicts well and tells us that there is hope. It works in conjunction with the box of blanks and the invisible cloak to cleanse the city of its violence and hate.

(Conclusion) Crash is very successful in conveying its race theme, however much we might feel that the techniques are excessive - "stereotypes on steroids" one critic called them. Haggis' use of Tarantino-like dialogue and strong cinematography and symbolism all force us to confront the racism that we probably all share but dare not express.