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Bias In The Movie Crash

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In 2004 Paul Haggis directed the film Crash, a movie fundamentally about the effects of prejudice and bias on a group of Los Angeles natives including cops, robbers, and immigrants whose lives “crash” into one another’s. With the help of strong acting and an amazing storyline Crash won three Academy Awards and did it while carrying a message not so easily identified. The characters Anthony (Ludacris) Peter (Larenz Tate) Officer Ryan (Matt Dillon) and their depictions of explicit bias are so well done that the impact of implicit bias in the screenplay is almost missed.
Be advised, before watching Crash, the speed of the action might leave one without a chance to truly sort out what is happening; or even fail to enjoy the ride. This seems to be the experience of one film critic Ray Wong, in his review for Rave Reviews. His lamentations, “Do we have to be reminded every minute about the racial differences, misunderstanding and injustice” coupled with the mention of his suspension of disbelief not holding, could lead one to the opinion that he might have fallen prey to his own biases. He credits the actors for saving the film, complaining “Oh, come on! This is a city …show more content…

As Roger Ebert, critic for rogerebert.com states, “we understand why he explodes at the HMO worker (whose race is only an excuse for his anger). He victimizes others by exercising his power, and is impotent when it comes to helping his father.” Later, we witness as Ryan struggles to rescue a victim trapped in an SUV, his eyes lock with his victim from the night before. The scene requires the active empathy from the audience, but the visible emotions of Ryan go from shock, to fear, to remorse, and finally determination as he begs to save her and does so with the same compassion he showed his father; at this point, we see hope for Ryan

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