Holly Hartsoe Frisk
April 6, 2010
Theology and Film
Film Title: Crash (Collision, L.A. Crash)
Year: 2004
Director: Paul Haggis
Original release form/venue: In U.S. Theatres May of 2005
Available formats: DVD, Blueray
Genre: Drama
Story Elements:
Characters: This film follows the intersecting lives of different people coming from various
backgrounds and of diverse races. Because the characters are all important, it is impossible to
pick out “main characters.” The importance of the characters as a whole lies in the lives they
portray and the prejudices that arise within the movie.
Atmosphere: The film takes place in modern-day Los Angeles, CA. The atmosphere is tense
throughout the movie, but it is also very true-to-life.
Plot: The film begins at a crime scene, and a multiple car accident has occurred as a result of the
roadblock. Two women argue about whose fault the accident is—a Caucasian woman making fun
of/playing on the words of an Oriental woman. In the next scene, we are taken back in time when
two young African American guys leave a restaurant, one of them complaining of racial
discrimination. They see a Caucasian couple approaching them and comment on how the lady
seems to cling to her husband when she sees the guys approaching them. This play on
stereotypes becomes surprisingly true when the guys actually do carjack the couple. The drama
continues throughout the film as the stereotypes continue to play out and peoples’ lives cross and
continue to “crash” together. The film is full of surprises and twists as it moves from scene to
scene. Eventually, we find ourselves where we began (at the crime scene), and everything starts
coming together. People change throughout the film as well, and near the end, it seems that some
of them are changing for the better. The film ends with a car accident as if to say, “Things never
change…”
Pacing: This is a very fast-moving film, since the lives of so many different people are involved.
The audience must pay attention to understand what is going on and how the lives of so many
people are connected. Although some scenes may move a little more slowly to maintain tension,
as a whole the film moves very rapidly.
Central themes you see emerging: Society, racism, stereotypes, relationships, true friendship,
fear, living up to others’ expectations/following the crowd, loss and gain of trust, reality and sin.
Film Language Elements:
Mise-en-scene, including:
Setting: Present Day
Props: Different types of vehicles/modes of transportation, St. Christopher figurine, guns,
doors/locks/keys
Costumes: The characters wear the clothes by which they are stereotyped. Everyone is
dressed to match their background, race, etc. They all seem to fit in where they are supposed to in
society.
Lighting: From daylight to dark—it seems a lot more of the bad things happen at dark, but
that just tends to go with reality.
Speed of motion: Although the film moves rapidly, the speed of motion is slower to follow
details, accent certain characteristics and highlight good/bad. There are faster scenes during the
more high-action events, but most of the film is shot with a slower speed of motion.
Editing: A lot of jump cuts—keeps you on your toes and continuously surprises the
audience as it twists and intertwines lives together.
Audience/Cultural Context elements: This is probably the most important aspect, because the
film is full of in-your-face stereotyping. The social, economic and psychological elements make this
film what it is, intensifying the feelings and actions of so many people in everyday life. Since our
culture as a whole continues to stereotype and show racism to those who “are not like me,” the film
stresses this point to every extent. The film is meant to portray life as it really is, although most of
us do not want to think of it or see it that way. I do not think it is supposed to scare us as much as
to make us realize that this is the world we live in and find humor in some of it. The movie is
definitely targeted for adult audiences, and I would say even teenagers should not see this film
without their parents at least viewing it first.
Theology is found: I am not sure if it is intentional or not, but the film implies that this is who we
are as a society, therefore it portrays the sinful nature of humanity.
Theological themes for conversation: Depravity of humanity
Suggested use of film: Bringing theology to bear can help deepen our understanding of the film
and serves as a critical challenge to understanding the theological theme of sin and humanity.
Recommended amount/parts of film to view, and ways to view it: It is best to view this film in
a group as a whole when discussing the theological theme of human sinfulness. I would also
suggest before beginning the film that the viewers honestly look for themselves throughout the film,
finding the character(s) with whom they most-closely can identify.
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Concluding or Summary remarks: This film is a great one for challenging us to look at our lives
and see the injustice and sin that we all experience and carry out. It is a good film for bringing
humility to bear and bringing out our honest feelings. If we are made to see the things in ourselves
that make us uncomfortable, it is a starting point for change.
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