“Crash” Discussion Questions:
What is the significance of the title?
Why does the director choose to use intersecting storylines throughout the film?
Why are Anthony's comments: “she got colder as soon as she saw us” and “we are the only two black faces surrounded by over-caffeinated white people patrolled by the trigger happy LAPD” ironic?
Do you think the film reinforces or challenges stereotypes of African Americans, Hispanics, Middle Easterners, Whites, and the police? Are the characters realistic? Believable?
How are John and Tommy representations of police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department?
Do you think that John’s heroic efforts to save Camille’s life redeem what he had done to her earlier?
Do you think Cameron is a black man who is trying to act white? Why does he say to his wife “you got to find out what it’s really like being black?"
Why is the figurine of St. Christopher an important symbol in the film?
John tells Tommy, “You think you know who are; you have no idea.” Do you think Tommy is too idealistic in his thinking? How do you feel about what he does at the end of the film?
What do you think exposure to violence and corruption does to a person? Does it change them? Justify their actions? What examples do you see of this in the film?
What do you make of this statement from the film: “The only reason a black person steals from their own is because they are terrified of white people?” Do you agree or disagree? Is the speaker serious?
What did you think of the scene where the young girl is shot? What happened? Why?
Jean, who appears to have everything, says to her friend Carol, “I’m still mad, and I wake up like this every morning and I don’t know why.” Why is this important?
As the film ends we are shown each of the characters. How do you feel about the ending?