2. Crash (2004)
Speaking of films no one was any better for having watched this film almost got me kicked out of the theater. I went to go see it with a friend and we ended up laughing our way through the entire debacle. Not because I find race relations in America particularly amusing, but I did find Haggis dumbed-down, politically correct characters and sham of a plot hilarious. Remember that part when Sandra Bullock has a heartfelt moment with her maid and tells her that she (the maid) is her only friend (even though they did nothing to really establish that in the film)? Good times. I think one of my biggest problems with the film is that it presupposes hatred. Everybody in Haggis film wakes up and goes to sleep with a chip on their shoulder, and though those people do exist, I think the average person is way too self-involved to spend every waking moment hating somebody else. If you really want to see an honest look at race relations in America, check out
Twilight: Los Angeles (2000). Its a one-woman play written and performed by Anna Deavere Smith. Smith plays a host of characters talking about their experiences and thoughts in the aftermath of the Rodney King trial and resulting race riots. One woman manages to create more meaningful characters on a bare stage than Haggis does in 112 minutes with Hollywoods best and brightest. Also, if youre into ensemble flicks, check out
Grand Canyon (1991) and
Whats Cooking (2000). Both films look at race and culture, and dont make you want to renounce your American citizenship.