You're crazy to not like new French film
Well written, well acted, and just a wee bit too long; C.R.A.Z.Y. is the best Canadian movie in recent memory, and probably the best movie of the year. The acronym stands for Christian, Raymond, Antoine, Zachary and Yvonne, five brothers growing up in a French Canadian household in the late sixties to mid seventies. Each one is different from the others; however, it's the slightly effeminate Zachary (played perfectly by the young Emile Vallee, and later by Marc-Andre Grondin) that finds himself alienated, but desperate to fit in.
Despite its backdrop of family life in Rural Quebec, there isn't a dull moment in this brutally honest coming of age story. C.R.A.Z.Y. is about a boy who, confused about his sexuality and wishing to be like the others, finds refuge in cigarettes, pot, and the sounds of the Stones, Bowie, and Pink Floyd. As a young boy, he would act manly and pretend he was interested in playing construction until his father (Gervais Beaulieu) left for work. One day he comes back to find Zach in his mothers nightgown and jewelry playing “mommy” with his baby brother. Looking back on that day Zach reminisces, “I had just turned seven and unwittingly, I had declared war on my father.” Despite Zachary's repressed homosexuality, C.R.A.Z.Y. isn't a story that limits itself to growing up gay. It tells of a dysfunctional family so many can relate to.
Zach's father, ever the strict disciplinarian, harbors old-fashioned values and a conservative view of homosexuality that was typical of the time period. He can't stand the thought that his son might be a “fairy,” and he firmly believes that he can break him of his homosexual tendencies. His mother, a woman who's faith in miracles leads her to believe that Zach has a gift from God that enables him to staunch bleeding and stop a baby from crying just by saying a little prayer. His brothers fight, pick on him, and generally create havoc for their poor parents. The oldest brother Christian (Pierre-Luc Brillant), a tattooed biker with a drug habit, overdoses at the tender age of thirty, testing the family's already stretched resources.
Above all, C.R.A.Z.Y. is about a father accepting his son's differences and the importance of his Papa in the boy's life. Although the subject matter is deep, and the family's trials are serious, under the skillful hand of director Jean-Marc Vallee, it is at times hilarious. After confronting his son about his gay tendencies, there's an exchange between Zach's father and his mother where he ponders how anyone could engage in anal sex. “You have a short memory,” she tells him.
Although I think it's great that C.R.A.Z.Y. has been entered as Canada's contribution to the “best foreign movie” aspect of the academy awards, I know this will mean it won't get the attention it deserves. In fact I find it amusing that a Canadian film has to be entered under the “foreign” sub group just because it's subtitled. C.R.A.Z.Y. is still Canadian and should be nominated for Best Movie.
Of course, you won't find this movie at your local multiplex, at least not yet. Wait until it wins some Oscars — then YOU TOO can see it, either on DVD or on the Big Screen. Until then, try checking out your local independent cinema for show times.
Despite its backdrop of family life in Rural Quebec, there isn't a dull moment in this brutally honest coming of age story. C.R.A.Z.Y. is about a boy who, confused about his sexuality and wishing to be like the others, finds refuge in cigarettes, pot, and the sounds of the Stones, Bowie, and Pink Floyd. As a young boy, he would act manly and pretend he was interested in playing construction until his father (Gervais Beaulieu) left for work. One day he comes back to find Zach in his mothers nightgown and jewelry playing “mommy” with his baby brother. Looking back on that day Zach reminisces, “I had just turned seven and unwittingly, I had declared war on my father.” Despite Zachary's repressed homosexuality, C.R.A.Z.Y. isn't a story that limits itself to growing up gay. It tells of a dysfunctional family so many can relate to.
Zach's father, ever the strict disciplinarian, harbors old-fashioned values and a conservative view of homosexuality that was typical of the time period. He can't stand the thought that his son might be a “fairy,” and he firmly believes that he can break him of his homosexual tendencies. His mother, a woman who's faith in miracles leads her to believe that Zach has a gift from God that enables him to staunch bleeding and stop a baby from crying just by saying a little prayer. His brothers fight, pick on him, and generally create havoc for their poor parents. The oldest brother Christian (Pierre-Luc Brillant), a tattooed biker with a drug habit, overdoses at the tender age of thirty, testing the family's already stretched resources.
Above all, C.R.A.Z.Y. is about a father accepting his son's differences and the importance of his Papa in the boy's life. Although the subject matter is deep, and the family's trials are serious, under the skillful hand of director Jean-Marc Vallee, it is at times hilarious. After confronting his son about his gay tendencies, there's an exchange between Zach's father and his mother where he ponders how anyone could engage in anal sex. “You have a short memory,” she tells him.
Although I think it's great that C.R.A.Z.Y. has been entered as Canada's contribution to the “best foreign movie” aspect of the academy awards, I know this will mean it won't get the attention it deserves. In fact I find it amusing that a Canadian film has to be entered under the “foreign” sub group just because it's subtitled. C.R.A.Z.Y. is still Canadian and should be nominated for Best Movie.
Of course, you won't find this movie at your local multiplex, at least not yet. Wait until it wins some Oscars — then YOU TOO can see it, either on DVD or on the Big Screen. Until then, try checking out your local independent cinema for show times.
