MOVIE

Crash (2005)

Episode 278Directed by Paul Haggis1h 52mPublished May 13, 2025Episode length 3h 59m
IanIan
LiamLiam
MeganMegan
KevinKevin
Ep 278 - Crash (2004)
Drama

Top cast

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Don Cheadle
Don Cheadle
Det. Graham Waters
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock
Jean Cabot
Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser
Rick Cabot
Matt Dillon
Matt Dillon
Officer John Ryan
Jennifer Esposito
Jennifer Esposito
Ria
Michael Peña
Michael Peña
Daniel Ruiz
Terrence Howard
Terrence Howard
Cameron Thayer
Thandiwe Newton
Thandiwe Newton
Christine Thayer
Ludacris
Ludacris
Anthony
Larenz Tate
Larenz Tate
Peter
Paul Haggis
Paul Haggis
Director
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Overview

In post-Sept. 11 Los Angeles, tensions erupt when the lives of a Brentwood housewife, her district attorney husband, a Persian shopkeeper, two cops, a pair of carjackers and a Korean couple converge during a 36-hour period.

Show notes

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“On the BFE, nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass.” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam & Megs (Kev’s stuck in traffic... literally) – as we collide head-on with our 270th episode, diving into the Oscar-winning ensemble drama Crash (2004). We’re trading poisoned appl

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“On the BFE, nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass.” Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam & Megs (Kev’s stuck in traffic... literally) – as we collide head-on with our 270th episode, diving into the Oscar-winning ensemble drama Crash (2004). We’re trading poisoned apples for tangled fender benders and uncomfortable conversations as we discuss:

  • How Crash sparked intense debate in 2004 and controversially drove off with Best Picture.
  • Does the film still resonate 20 years later—or has its commentary aged as awkwardly as some of its dialogue?
  • Is Crash a powerful mirror to society… or a heavy-handed lecture?
  • How Crash explores race, prejudice, guilt, and the unseen connections that bind us.
  • Which character’s arc hit us hardest – and which character has multiple members of the BFE auditioning for the role?
  • Is Crash misunderstood genius—or awards bait that tricked us all?
  • Where the film sits among Best Picture winners. And what’s our biggest gripe with its storytelling choices?
  • Which characters does the film tell us to forgive - and do we?
  • Speaking of gripes—do any of these characters actually change?
  • We get personal about when we first saw Crash, and how our take on the film has evolved over time (or crashed and burned).
  • We talk intense performances, sweeping coincidences, and how this film could only have been made at this exact time
  • Whether Crash is the Best Film Ever.

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