Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Matt Dillon’s 2004 crime drama film,Crash, has been polarizing since its release, particularly due to the ways it handles and portrays racism and sxual assault among other serious issues. One of the most controversial scenes that have been at the center of criticism is the sxual assault scene involving Dillon and Thandiwe Newton’s character, Christine.
In a later interview, the actress herself reflected on the movie, acknowledging its criticism and issues, along with the redemption arc that Dillon’s character later experiences in the crime drama.
Thandiwe Newton Acknowledged the Criticism Surrounding the Crime Drama,Crash
Starring alongside an ensemble cast, including the likes of Sandra Bullock, Brendon Fraser,Matt Dillon, and others,Thandiwe Newtontook on the role of Christine Thayer, a woman, who is s*xually assaulted by Dillon’s character of a cop, John Ryan.
However, the character, who is depicted to be extremely racist and assaults a woman, is later showcased in a redemption arc, when he saves the same woman from a crashed and burning car.
The redemption arc, however, did not sit well with the audience for obvious reasons and has since been the center of the criticism surrounding the movie, which earned three Oscars, including Best Picture at the 78th Academy Awards.
“You idiot! Why did you choose to do this?”: Matt Dillon’s Regret Over Agreeing to Play Marlon Brando Has Nothing to Do With His Controversial Past
Newton, who described the movie as“a chapter in my black book,”acknowledged the criticism surrounding the film and its portrayal of the redemption arc for Dillon’s character.
“I didn’t feel that it was redemptive,”theMission: ImpossibleactresstoldVultureas she reflected on how things did not turn out the way the filmmaker wanted to portray it. She stated,“That’s something even at the time I didn’t buy into,”as she explained,
There was a moment I remember… I had to turn around and look at him. I had a sense that that look was supposed to be a look of connection… but for me, the look to him was, Oh, okay. It turns out I got saved by the worst person in the world.
Further reflecting on Ludacris and Larenz Tate’s characters in the movie, Newton also highlighted how the film undermined the real and systematic issues faced by African-American communities.
Thandiwe Newton on HowCrashUndermined Racial Rage With White Liberalism
Further in her conversation with Vulture, Thandiwe Newton reflected on the problematic portrayal of race and systematic prejudice in the film through its clever and witty elements.
Newton critiqued the film for its underlying tone of“white liberalism,”a worldview that seeks to appear progressive but often centers on white characters and narratives, as seen in Matt Dillon’s character’s redemption arc.
“Waffles are $40 but at least abortions are free”: Billionaires Like Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey Get a Reality Check From Tim Dillon After Donald Trump Becomes President
She further stated that Ludacris and Larenz Tate’scharacters are used to make a superficial point, they decry being stereotyped, only to fulfill that stereotype by becoming car thieves.
Even with Ludacris and Larenz Tate, when they’re annoyed about being treated as stereotypes, but then it turns out that they are carjackers. I feel like that was just for one joke.
“The movie was clever and witty,”she said while sharing her criticism of howCrashhandles complex racial issues, suggesting that it avoids deeper accountability and oversimplifies these struggles for the sake of its narrative.
Crashis available to watch on Prime Video.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
