It’s coming close to a decade since Paul Haggis‘ "Crash" took home three Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture, and many are still upset about it. The film competed against "Brokeback Mountain," "Munich," "Capote," and "Good Night And Good Luck," and many thought it wasn’t worthy of any Academy Award honors. To this day, it’s trotted out as an example of the industry voters getting it wrong, but Haggis has plowed ahead and returns this week behind the camera of David Simon‘s terrific miniseries "Show Me A Hero." But in the course of doing the interview rounds for the show, the inevitable question were asked about "Crash."
"Was it the best film of the year? I don’t think so. There were great films that year. ‘Good Night and Good Luck’ —amazing film. ‘Capote’ —terrific film. Ang Lee’s ‘Brokeback Mountain’ —great film. And Spielberg’s ‘Munich.’ What a year. ‘Crash’ for some reason affected people. And you can’t judge these films like that. I’m very glad to have those Oscars. They’re lovely things. But you shouldn’t ask me what the best film of the year was, because I wouldn’t be voting for ‘Crash,’ only because I saw the artistry that was in the other films," he told HitFix.
"For some reason, that’s the film that touched people the most that year. So I guess that’s what they voted for, something that really touched them. And I’m very proud of the fact that ‘Crash’ does touch you," he continued. "People still come up to me more than any of my films and say, ‘that film just changed my life.’ I’ve heard that dozens and dozens and dozens of times. So it did its job there. I knew it was the social experiment that I wanted, so I think it’s a really good social experiment. Is it a great film? I don’t know."
And while it’s easy to say that "Paul Haggis wouldn’t even vote for his own film!" he’s being modest while standing by his work. And he’s right that the drama did affect many, certainly those within the Academy. However, these comments will likely inspire the Oscar debate all over again so share your views down below.
Yeah, it\’s a bit on the nose, no doubt, but I think it does still connect emotionally (or it did for me at least) can\’t remember off the top of my head what else was up for Original Screenplay, but I\’d say it should have only got that and not Best Picture. My vote would have been for Good Night and Good Luck
"Crash" was not as good as its staunchest defenders say, and it\’s nowhere near as bad or as ignorant as its strongest critics say. I remember thinking it was really entertaining, although I was much younger, and I can\’t guarantee I\’d like it as much at this age. But the film isn\’t without moments of inspired filmmaking. The part where the Middle Eastern shopkeeper pulls a gun on Michael Pena is shot and performed beautifully, I think. That said, Haggis seems like a nice and reasonable guy.
Good for Haggis for being honest and clear-headed. Props to him.
Also: Brokeback FTW
Step and Manny, I think you\’re both right!
Crash was great if you like getting beaten over the head with unsubtle messages for 2 hours. It should, and probably will, go down as the worst film to win best picture.
Crash was a great film.