Set in Los Angeles, the movie deals with the racial biases and stereotypes still prevalent in American society.

The story begins a few days before Christmas in Los Angeles, Jean (Sandra Bullock) and her L.A. District Attorney husband Rick (Brendan Fraser) are carjacked by a couple of African American guys. Soon after in another part of L.A., a racist cop Ryan (Matt Dillion) and his partner Hanson (Ryan Philippe) pull over an African American TV director Cameron (Terrence Howard) and his beautiful wife Christine (Thadie Newton), for no cause. Officer Ryan sexually molested attractive Christine in front of her helpless husband. Officer Ryan has an explanation like "searching for hidden weapons inside a woman's cloth"!

That night a series of racially biased incidents takes place in different parts of L.A. The movie is made from a series of incidents of L.A. people's lives, and how their racial intolerance causes them to be  indifferent and depressed. Many of these disturbing events grow into racial intolerance and racial stereotyping.

Directing debut of Paul Haggis has resulted in a masterfully designed and cleverly produced film that deals with a common problem of "Racisim" that is prevalent in many modern American societies. Haggis who was once carjacked himself with his wife, gives the film the look of a true incident. He explores how intolerance and prejudice are a collective problem for the American society. In each of the episodes he  aggressively shows the racial and sexual barriers that separate characters from understanding each other. He very well succeeds in making the story as well as the characters believable. He is delivering a great message to the world that "appearances can be deceiving" and "modern America is not free from racism and social class division". He dares to bring to light some of these prejudices that many people experience in one form or another during their life in America.

Matt Dillion presents an excellent performance as a racist cop. Thadie Newton puts up a great act while the cop Ryan sexually molests her. Other cast members also deserve to be commended for their wonderful performance in this wrenching drama. Movie has a great cast and wonderful storyline.

Even though the film has it's own share of flaws, as a whole it is a great entertainer. Moral issues has been put forth beautifully in the film. We can feel Christine's humiliation and be sympathetic towards Cameron. Movie will shed some light on racism and prejudice and let the world know that there are many many untold stories such as 'Christine's and 'Cameron's' in modern America. This movie can make you laugh, cry as well as sympathize towards many of the characters, on comparison with the real life situation. Paul Haggis' courage has to be applauded for making such an intense, honest, powerful, memorable and enlightening film. Go and see this superbly crafted and visually stunning movie.

We rate this movie VERY GOOD.