There is a lot of sound and fury going on about the upset of “Crash” over “Brokeback Mountain.” I have my theory on why it won. One of the “complaints” that was bandied about before the Oscars was the fact that there were no big “main stream” Hollywood films in the running. That is why “Crash” won. Out of the five films nominted, it was the one that was just main stream enough and is “middle of the road” as far as its politics and social commentary are concerned. This year the Academy pandered to John Q. Public.
Crash panders to NO ONE, least of all John Q Public. John Q Public HATES Crash. (Look at the reviews–not to mention, the box office.) He doesn’t have the attention span — and doesn’t tend to appreciate films that invite him to explore his own inner-racist.
And, had there been a big “mainstream” blockbuster in contention… not only would Crash not have won, neither would Brokeback. You’d’ve preferred a Best Picture Oscar for War of the Worlds? Or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? EUGH.
Ummmm. I didn’t say that “Crash” pandered to John Q. Public … the Academy did by voting it Best Picture.
“He doesn’t have the attention span — and doesn’t tend to appreciate films that invite him to explore his own inner-racist.”
Yeah. But it’s far easier for the average American to confront Racism as opposed to Politics they don’t agree with and (gasp!) Homosexuality.