C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)(Import)

C.R.A.Z.Y. is a remarkable film about a family in French-speaking Canada from the mid-sixties through to the 70s and ending up in 1980. The family consists of five brothers, so there is a lot of rough-and-tumble caught at different ages; already in his early years, Zac is showing signs that possibly he may be gay in the future, wanting a pram as a present - which his father rejects very firmly. This forms the basis of the film, as the father is loving, in his way, but cannot stand the idea of his son being gay. The pressure felt by Zac is such that he often acts badly, and his path to self-realisation is fraught - but then it was for so many in those decades, and many viewers are likely to see something of their own experience in what happens (I certainly did ...). He is the fourth brother, and his second-eldest also gives his parents a lot of heartache, being a junkie and general dropout, who takes out his own poor self-image on his younger brother, whose attempt to appear heterosexual he is very quick to see through. The film is full of music of the eras - a lot of Patsy Cline, the father's favourite, and David Bowie and other singers from the 70s - a scene where he rises in church to Sympathy For The Devil is a marvellous moment, as is his lip-synching to Space Oddity in Bowie-like make-up. He is a bit of a rebel - his wilder, more traumatic moments are shown sometimes in slow motion to choral music for tenors and basses, underlining a religious strand that comes through the mother, to whom Zac is very close. It is a remarkable portrait of a family and never less than compelling, never seeming like a soap opera thanks to its daring and imagination, as well as having some very moving sequences. Some great clothes too ...

`Crazy' is perhaps one of my most favourite French/Canadian films. It is also one of the few films that have ever moved me to the point of tears, and ironically so considering that this is neither the intention of the writer, nor the purpose of the scene to which I refer (you will know it when you see it). Having watched the film three times over the last few years, I remain convinced that it is one of the best written and directed films in gay and lesbian cinema, although it is meant for everyone.The story is in essence a monologue as the main character (Marc-Andre Grondin) takes rough his life, from birth to self discovery. Along the way the audience is introduced to a litany of characters, all of whom play an important and integral part in his life. In South Africa we say a person is a person, because of other people, and nothing is truer than in this case. His father is both atypical and likeable in many ways, and has an overwhelming affinity and affection for his sons (of which he has five). He is deeply affected by them all, and in his own way considers them as his personal pride and joy. I believe this is why he cannot come to terms with his one son's homosexuality, and says as much in a revealing conversation with his son Zachary (Grondin). "One cannot abandon the idea of children, it is one of life's most wonderful experiences", he says to his son. "If you insist on pursuing this choice, then I cannot accept that, ever!" Whilst intensely revealing of his inner thinking and desires for his boys, what these words reveal is a manifest ignorance of his son's own turmoil and needs. He says the statement innocently enough, and I am sure he believes he is acting in his son's best interests, and yet the destruction that results is both tragic and perverse. After all this is not his life to live, and how dare he impose his desires, needs and beliefs on others, without even the most casual respect for what life choices they may have ahead.His mother (Danielle Proulx) is perhaps one of the most interesting characters within the film, and her quiet presence is the undercurrent upon which the entire story depends. She is the family's strength, and whilst she exists in the background, she is by no means insignificant. She is in fact the most inspiring of them all, and her inner strength is the very essence of all that is noble in women. She has a particular affinity with (), and her empathy for him is almost prophetic. She knows he faces one of life's greatest challenges, and she prepares him in the best way she knows how. At times her desperation is almost palpable, and if she could change places and bare her son's burden she would. Not that she loves him any more than she does her other sons, but it's almost as if he is her closest affinity and is most like her. My own grandmother explained this to me once, when she said a mother loves all her children, but often there is one child who echoes her own soul, and provides her the peace she finds in best in herself. It is that child that she is closest to. She will not only feel their pain, she will experience it as if it was her own.The actors are sublime, as is the soundtrack which traverses Patsy Cline and David Bowie. In fact there is little more I can say about this film, without giving too much away. It's an excellent production, well worth your time and emotional experience.

A classic from Jean-Marc Vallée, definitely one of the best coming of age films I've seen and depictions of LGBTQ sexuality against the backdrop of a deeply Catholic provincial background

Nothing to dislike. Good purchase.

This is a rather drawn-out film about a Catholic family, especially about one of the sons, who is intermittently the narrator. Some of the scenes are badly lit, & the narrative is poor.

It is a complex story of a family where the praised son becomes a stigmatised boy... The movie is very emotional and shows well a struggle a young gay man. The movie depicts well the impact of patriarchal values and norms on gay people. However, it also shows the pain that parents feel about their children and the complexity of clash of heterenormative society and queer world. It is a good movie, well done and offers a deep insight of a young persons struggle in the context of a family. In addition, movie is full of good music.

This movie succeeds in portraying growing up, teenage years and family dynamics with this delicate balance of warmth, humour and cruelty that you might remember. Everything rings true, dialogs are clever, acting faultless and the fantastic music is just the cherry on top

this is a good movie dealing with the trials of family life ,the search for identity ,it is a good movie -sorry that's all I have to say