Poll: Americans Want 'Crash' for Best Picture
Harris Poll finds Americans support 'Crash,' 'Walk the Line' stars
March 2 2006

Matt Dillon and Thandie Newton in 'Crash'All winter long, critics, guilds and other awards-givers have endorsed "Brokeback Mountain" as the year's best picture. Given the same choices as the Academy, though, the American people may go another way.

According to a semi-scientific poll of 1016 demographically diverse Americans conducted via phone by the Harris Poll people, 20 percent of all people polled said that "Crash" should win best picture at Sunday (March 5) night's Oscars. "Brokeback Mountain" finished a distant second with 13 percent of the vote, followed by "Good Night, and Good Luck" with 10 percent apiece. "Capote" was the longshot with a paltry four percent, though the four straggling nominees finished behind both "Crash" and the surprisingly popular "None of these" option (18 percent).

"Crash" drew the support of people of all types including women (21 percent), men (18 percent), African-Americans (42 percent), Hispanics (28 percent), Democrats (28 percent) and Republicans (18 percent). It should be noted that the actual winner with men and Republicans was "None of these." Republican men are just tough to please.

"Brokeback Mountain" can take solace in two important things: First, among people aged 61 and over, "Brokeback" beat "Crash" 13 percent to three percent ("Good Night" actually won in that age range with 15 percent). Second, and perhaps most importantly, all these people consulted by the Harris Poll? They don't get a real vote.

Among Harris respondents, Joaquin Phoenix of "Walk the Line" was the easy best actor choice with 32 percent, beating "Brokeback" star Heath Ledger, who has 15 percent. Although he's considered a prohibitive favorite to win the Oscar, Philip Seymour Hoffman of "Capote" got only eight percent. Oh and Terrence Howard of "Hustle & Flow" may have only received two percent of the support from white folks, but he got 40 percent of the African-American vote.

On the best actress side, 43 percent of the people Harris talked to supported Reese Witherspoon of "Walk the Line." Nobody else was really close in any demographic or age range.

:roll: Never trust a poll until you find out who paid for it.

It's not surprising that Americans "chose" Crash. They've been reading the papers, seeing how Crash has been talked up. So when somebody calls them, of course they say Crash. Did they even see Crash?

Compare the dinky Harris poll to the one at MSNBC.com http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10928492/.
It's been ongoing for weeks and has accumulated 95000 votes. That poll shows Brokeback in the lead with 38%.

Anyway, Oscarwatch says that a "substantial number" of Oscar ballots have already been submitted, (and I wonder how many of the rest are in the mail). All this Crash talk is too late, and directed to the wrong people.

(and I daresay that Brokeback fans are passionate folk. It will take more than a few columns in the industry rags to turn them away from beloved BBM.)

Honestly, if Crash pulls off the upset and wins, I'm going to be snickering pretty hard about it. It's my favorite film of all of the nominees for Best Picture (and would have been if Walk the Line was nominated, too). I really can't lose, though, because I loved Brokeback Mountain, so I'm cool with it if it wins.

1. Crash A-
2. Brokeback Mountain A-
3. Good Night, and Good Luck A-
4. Munich B+
5. Capote C

I'm pulling for Crash, but unless Capote wins, I'm not going to be throwing myself out the window.

Had the people polled actually seen all the films?

Agreed.

Good thing this isn't the People's Choice awards.

George Bush won the presidency.

So it's completely within the realm of possibility for the majority of Americans to support utter tripe.

(not utter, but I'm being dramatic!)

According to a semi-scientific poll of 1016 demographically diverse Americans conducted via phone by the Harris Poll people, 20 percent of all people polled said that "Crash" should win best picture at Sunday (March 5) night's Oscars. "Brokeback Mountain" finished a distant second with 13 percent of the vote, followed by "Good Night, and Good Luck" with 10 percent apiece. "Capote" was the longshot with a paltry four percent, though the four straggling nominees finished behind both "Crash" and the surprisingly popular "None of these" option (18 percent).

roo, you've spoiled me. I used to think Crash was OK, but you've made me grow to loathe it sooo much. Damn you, damn my small, pathetic little mind.

Oh, and...

1. Brokeback Mountain - A
2. Munich - A
3. Good Night & Good Luck - A-
4. Capote - B+
5. Crash - B- to D+. I can't decide. Too many emotionz12!1

Needless to say, I hope Crash doesn't win. Badly. It REALLY isn't worthy.

roo, you've spoiled me. I used to think Crash was OK, but you've made me grow to loathe it sooo much. Damn you, damn my small, pathetic little mind.

Americans voted for Bush.


Twice.

I can only show you the door... you have to take the red pill... or something.

I don't think Crash is "utter" tripe because it is well crafted for all of its supposed sins. I can't fault it that.

I can't think of what is the worst Best Picture winner if it won... Crash, Braveheart or Marty.