I figured well before the credits that the writer and/or director was extraordinarily gifted - and I was correct. (Can't wait to see what he's up to next.) Even though 'Crash' was just palatable enough for the AMPAS, it seemed a bit hackneyed. This is the film America really needs to see. As a screenwriter, one of the first exercises in creating honest characters is to examine the antagonist's motives as deeply as the protagonist's. Ball did this so effectively and affectively in 'American Beauty' that there ceased to be antagonists - and left only catalysts for change. 'Towelhead' (or 'Nothing is Private') does this masterfully. I learned early on in life that the seed of each emotion and action lies somewhere dormant in our hearts and heads. When I was inserted into Aaron Eckhart's mind, I started to emote with him - and it was scary. And not a popcorn-eating type-of-experience. Same can be said for our young female protag - I wasn't a teenager that long ago. Even those these sentiments aren't 'politically correct', they still exist - and are much more common than our media is permitted to let on. Even though this movie probably made no money, and similar films won't for the same reasons, I'm very glad it exists. It is a wonderful document for our times and huge stepping- stone. In fact, can you think of a better film that defines 'real' post-911 America? I'm sure there are a few - but not too many.
