A few thoughts I’d like to share with everyone:
1. Why does everyone care so much that Crash won the Oscar for Best Picture over Brokeback Mountain? This award is based on the opinions of the 6000+ members of the Academy, the self-appointed authority of excellence in film making. Big deal. It is just that, their opinion. They have an equal right to their opinion as we do to ours. The fact that their opinion differs from mine in no way devalues my own. Simply agree to disagree. The only value of the award is what we let it have. By caring so much about the opinion of the Academy, we merely elevate its own self-worth.
2. There have been a lot of angry and down right venomous comments posted on the forum the past few days. I urge restraint in this matter. Acceptance, tolerance, equality. These are the goals we should strive for in life. Accept that another person’s opinion differs from your own. Tolerate these differences. And above all, treat them equally despite these differences. These are the behaviors we should expect of everyone, but we should expect them from ourselves first.
3. I suspect that part of the strong response from everyone stems from the emotional attachment we feel to the movie. Art strives to elicit an emotional response, and BBM obviously has succeeded in this aspect. How else do you explain the passionate fans that it has. Some people see a part of themselves in the film; others may simply be touched by the story of tragic love. Regardless, we see the beauty of this film in all its various levels of appreciation. However, as the cliché goes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Some may not appreciate the beauty of this film, but that in no way should diminish the beauty that we do see. Let that be their loss, and our gain. I know I am a better person for having experienced the beauty that is BBM.
4. “Crash” is a work of art and as such should be treated with the same respect as BBM. Critique it, judge it, criticize it as you see fit. However, in doing so, ask yourself if you have shown it the same respect that you would want others to show BBM. Don’t attack it simply because it was awarded an honor over BBM. Be objective, not emotional.
I hope no one takes my comments personally or is offended by them. I did not mean to sound preachy or holier than thou. But I think that everyone needs to take a step back for just a moment. I say this from the heart, because I care about this movie and everyone here. It’s obvious the pain being shared by so many people here. However, I truly feel that the only way to heal is to realize that the only opinion that matters is your own. Don’t let the enduring legacy of BBM be stained with anger and bitterness. Instead, appreciate and cherish the beautiful gift that is BBM.
