Rail maintainance workers bantering. Was tempted to crop the photo but decided against it; thought it would be great for you to see the picture within the picture.

You and I, we can be such bigots at times. At one point or another, we think in stereotypes. We pigeonhole a person according to his racial background before we judge him as an individual. We make claims about racial discrimination before questioning the real reason for being mistreated. Crash bases its tale upon that premise through several interlocking stories in which the characters are both victims and perpetrators of racism. The film is not without contrived coincidences, but what makes it so watchable is how unpredictable the characters are. As events are contingent upon the characters' actions, the film is always two steps ahead and you never quite know what to expect.

With its intricately-spun tales, amazing cast and great cinematography, Crash looks set to be a strong contender for the Oscars. It's a must-watch.