“Crash”, the film’s title, is explored in a number of ways. Perhaps most evidently, the car crash that occurs at the beginning and the end of the film, signifying the circular structure of the film, is a literal representation of the word. More metaphorically, however, is how the characters lives collide or “crash” into one another throughout the course of the film.

In regards to the theory of seven existing basic plots, “Crash” relates to both man versus man and man versus society.

In the most literal sense, the film shows men physically fighting against men in a number of situations - for example, between Daniel (Michael Peña) and Farhad (Shaun Toub). However, it also portrays a sense of men fighting against themselves; their “inner-demons”. For example, the turmoil that Detective Graham Waters (Don Cheadle) experiences throughout the narrative is explored in a number of ways, such as his strained relationship with his mother in which we realise that he is under appreciated, especially in comparison to his brother.

Detective Graham Waters and his mother

Man versus society is also an evident plot, especially in regards to issues of race, discrimination, and corruption. This is displayed most evidently through the themes of race and discrimination, which are evident throughout the narrative and also affect the representation of certain characters. For example, the way that Jean Cabot (Sandra Bullock) speaks in regard to Daniel and the prejudicial stereotypes she refers to - such as Daniel being a “gang member” who is likely to sell on the couple’s house keys to his “gang banger friends” - shows both a negative representation of hispanic people, relating them to criminals, but also of privileged white people such as Jean in the way that she addresses the stereotype, presenting wealthy white people as racist and arrogant.

Daniel

Negative representations of black people are also shown through the actions of the some of the black characters as well as the racist references made by other characters towards them. For example, the abrupt way in which Officer John Ryan (Matt Dillon) speaks to Shaniqua Johnson (Loretta Devine) paired with the way that Jean talks regarding Anthony and Peter Waters (Larenz Tate) after she purposefully avoids them in the street also reaffirm the suggestion of white people being racist whilst negatively representing black people as second class citizens or dangerous individuals.

Peter Waters [left] and Anthony [right]

White prejudice is also shown in the way that the gun shop owner speaks to Farhad, addressing him abruptly and offensively, even referencing terrorism as he says “Yo, Osama, plan a jihad on your own time” and “You’re liberating my country, and I’m flying seven four sevens into your mud huts and incinerating my friends. Get the fuck out of my store!”.


Equally, the white characters are not the only characters within the film that have racist attitudes. For example, many scenes show Anthony’s, a black man, use of racist language towards white people and Asian people - notably, his repeated use of the term “Chinaman” in reference to all Asian characters. This leads to a less bias representation of race.

The theme of corruption also supports the man versus society narrative, especially in terms of the corrupt policing shown mainly through the racism and behaviour of Officer Ryan. For example, he is shown to take advantage of a woman, named Christine Thayer (Thandie Newton), who he pulls over, touching her inappropriately as he frisks her. This shows his objectification of woman and his sexist attitudes, representing women in a way that sexualises them and presents them as for the purpose of men. Likewise, in a later scene, complains to her husband, Cameron Thayer (Terrence Howard), that he did not stand up for her. This promotes the ideology that men are expected to be tough and are still seen as a family’s “protector”.

The mood of the film is effectively created with the use of visual, audio, and technical codes. For example, the use of low-key lighting and dark, dull colours creates a negative atmosphere which successfully conveys the mood of the overall movie. It is also interesting to note that, in almost each scene throughout the film, the colour red is used, brightly but subtly. The connotations of red include danger which is an addition to the mood that plays on the audience’s subconscious.

Examples of red imagery	Examples of red imagery	Examples of red imagery
Examples of red imagery	Examples of red imagery	Examples of red imagery

There is a great deal of non-diegetic sound and music used throughout the film, almost constantly. This helps to enhance the chaotic mood without the audience even realising.

Through the use of camera shots, an enigma is created within the narrative as the opening scene of the film contains a close up of a shoe belonging to a dead man. Later in the film, there is a close up of the same shoe but the man wearing it is alive. This link offers the audience a privileged perspective as to the unexplained mystery at the beginning of the film.