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C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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112 out of 118 people found the following comment useful :-
I'm In Love With C.R.A.Z.Y.!, 21 May 2006
Author: el-mno-p from Newcastle, England

I wasn't really sure what to expect of this film, because the majority of what I'd read concerned the distribution issues in the US relating to its soundtrack full of copyrighted songs. I now see why the filmmakers can't remove those songs, and I also see why so many people are desperate to see it released, because everyone deserves to see this film.

It's all about a devout Christian husband and wife in Quebec who have five sons: Christian, Raymond, Antoine, Zachary (j'adore!) and Yvan. They're like a male French Canadian version of the Spice Girls: as Zachary relates to us early in the film, we have Brainy (Christian); Druggy (Raymond); Sporty (Antoine); Fairy (Zachary); and Fatty (Yvan). The story begins with the birth of Zachary in the early 1960s, the fourth child. He's born on Christmas Day, and is seen to have been given a gift from God; the power to heal. As we'll see, he's certainly destined to be different. His behaviour (dressing up in his mother's clothes, wetting the bed, taking care of his baby brother) gets him labelled a fag by his older brothers, the kids at school, and even his dad.

We watch the boys grow up over the course of three decades. Before Z becomes something of an alien in the family, he is the child most favoured by his parents. His mother, already aware of his gift, dotes on him, and his father is a hero to the young boy, with a great record collection (the entire Patsy Cline back catalogue!), cool shades, and a habit of taking Z for fries without the knowledge of his other sons. However, as we follow the boys into their teens, it's clear that Z has not been able to shake those early accusations of homosexuality. We see him at 16 in his bedroom, shirtless and with Ziggy Stardust make-up on his face, singing along passionately to 'Space Oddity'. All of a sudden, Antoine bursts into the room and punches Z in the arm, knocking him down and telling him, "stop singing along to that f%#king fag! you're making us look like a bunch of fairies!", and as the camera pans towards the bedroom window, we see a neighbourhood of children clapping and jeering at Z's spirited performance. They had been watching the whole thing.

Z gets a reputation at school for being queer, and this leads him to rebel, threatening those who call him names, and beating the tar out of a boy who shows some interest in him (and who later involuntarily leads to a major falling out between Z and his father, ending up with Z in therapy so that he can be "cured").

Z's occasional narration at one point stresses that two subjects have become taboo in the family by the time he turns 21; himself and Raymond. R makes a fascinating counterpoint with Z in terms of the relationship to their father. In an early scene, several girls come knocking for Raymond, and his dad proudly exclaims, "our son is a Casanova!" This pride in his son's macho accomplishments causes him to overlook R's drug habit until the consequences become almost disastrous for the family. Even then, he deludes himself, believing that R is clean, trying to get his life back in order, and constantly lends him money, despite things continuing to go from bad to worse.

On the other hand, Z's sensitivity is not accepted with nearly the same degree of pride as R's sexual precociousness; in fact, it isn't accepted at all. Any accomplishment Z makes is belittled by his father, and when Z's divine gift is confirmed by a local mystic, his father is extremely skeptical. Things in their relationship improve when Z finds a girlfriend. However, Z's behaviour deteriorates to the point where he risks becoming like his older brother. His sexual confusion becomes so extreme that it almost results in his death several times, while even a small degree of acceptance from his father may have been enough to resolve any guilt over his true sexuality, and allow mom and dad to concentrate their concern on the *real* problem child -- Raymond.

While the theme of self-discovery and personal growth gives the film an extremely strong emotional core, with a cast of thoroughly sympathetic, complete characters (and it seems like an insult to refer to them as just "characters" -- they are living, breathing people, as far as I'm concerned), there is much entertainment to be had in the changing fashions, developing attitudes and shifting cultural focus of the film. Watching the gorgeous Marc-André Grondin (Zachary) going from tight jeans and roller skates to sullen spikes and eyeliner to bronzed globetrotter was a personal highlight! The soundtrack is also an essential component of the film, reflecting Z's flowering love of popular music, from his days spent in the passenger seat of his dad's car, listening to Patsy Cline, to imagining a Midnight Mass erupting in a chorus of 'Sympathy for the Devil' by The Stones, getting high to Pink Floyd and downing liquor at the bar of an exotic gay club to early House; it's the soundtrack to a life spent in search of himself, and because of the power of pop music, we feel like we were there for every tear shed, every punch thrown, every cigarette smoked and every longing stare left to linger.

By the end of the film, I was nearly in tears. I'd been through an emotional roller-coaster of a film with characters I'd grown to love, and while the heart-stopping ending might have been responsible for my emotional response, the tears in my eyes were there because, really, I didn't want such a beautiful movie to end.

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100 out of 121 people found the following comment useful :-
Best Quebec movie ever? I'd say so!, 5 June 2005

Author: Franck Franck from Canada

To say it bluntly, it is to my advice the best Quebec movie ever made, and from a more global perspective a very good movie no matter what you choose to compare it to.

It is a story about a young homosexual (although it isn't clearly stated in the film, and it probably would be closer to the truth to say he's bisexual), born in the 60's. We see him evolving through the next three decades, with all the difficulties one might see in having troubles with sexual orientation in theses years (among which the perception of other people of his age, questions about himself because of the taboo nature of the topic, problems having it accepted by parents and so on).

There's many things that make me to say it's the best Quebec-made movie ever. First of all, it's actually quite different from anything else to come from Quebec, as far as I can think of it. This is quite surprising, since almost all the action takes place in this province. It's far more dramatic and emotional than anything else before (maybe saved Sur le Seuil which was more tragic). Besides, Quebec has always produced a lot of humor-oriented movies (les Boys, Quebec-Montreal, etc), which do have some charm but also feel like they have all been made out of the same recipe, Quebec humor being one of a kind. It's also successful in not falling into traditional clichés of Quebec society in a given period of time (a thing that Séraphin, for example, failed to do), but at the same time depicting quite accurately what life was like at the time. It's also successful in incorporating a very diversified soundtrack, using both songs from Quebec and American cultures. That lacked in many films, although in reality you actually get both pretty much equally. To be able to recognize this and deal with it is worth being recognized. The casting is also pretty strong, in part because of the performances of the actors but also because there are some new faces in it. Another annoying tendency in movies made in Quebec is that often see the same faces over and over again.

If you put it in a larger frame, it is still a must see that I believe will get it's fair share of attention and prices outside the province. That's a thing that the Invasions Barbares did, but other than that it's hard to think of much more. The song track, besides being very good, is also brilliantly used. For example, the music Zac listens to is very representative of theses decades (you get Pink Floyd, David Bowie) and evolves with the character, and is also used to create some insides between the characters (like Hier encore j'avais 20 ans, that is sung every Christmas). The three main antagonists in the movie (Zac, his brother Raymond and his father) have developed relationships with each other that are by no mean static, and in fact no even always antagonistic. Even though the story is told from Zac's perspective, he's far from flawless, as all the other characters, except maybe for the mother, who's more than often the neutral, moderated one in the many conflicts that arise. Some dialogs are actually quite funny (like the one about sodomy between Zac's father and his wife, in which Michel Côté shows he's a damn good actor).

Finally, I would say that the movie is also successful in not using easy clichés when it comes to homosexuality. Many movies got fucked up when it came to that topic, but this one doesn't. As I said before, Zac is supposedly homosexual, although it's never clearly stated and he might also just be bisexual. You don't get any real dirty stuff. The conservatives point of view on the matter are mentioned (by his fathers, among others), but aren't overwhelmingly present either. The movie is well-balanced.

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73 out of 88 people found the following comment useful :-
Crazy for C.R.A.Z.Y!, 22 October 2005

Author: Spuzzlightyear from Vancouver

Tell you what, if C.R.A.Z.Y. doesn't win the all the Geminis (the Oscars in Canada) it deserves, and doesn't get at least a nomination for the Academy Award for best foreign language film, there's something seriously wrong. This emotional roller-coaster, which I had the opportunity to see this year at the Vancouver International Film Festival is WONDERFUL! The director has blended together a gay coming-of-age story that is not exclusive to gay audiences, anyone can see this and relate to the family functions and dysfunctions on view here. The acting, everyone from Emile Vallee who plays the young Zach (actually the director's son) to a awesome performance by Michel Cote as the father of the family, is also wonderful. This movie had me in tears.. TEARS! at the end of it. How often can I say that happens? Hardly ever! Finally, like Dear Wendy, the other movie I liked during this festival (though no one else I talk to seems to like it hmmm..) the meaning of the title is JUST too precious to spoil for you. You'll probably figure it out by the movie's end. I'm asking, no, BEGGING, everyone to see this.

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63 out of 74 people found the following comment useful :-
An impressive film. period, 3 August 2005

Author: (owen_rc@yahoo.ca) from Québec Canada

As it has been said by others, this by all standards, not just as far French Canadian movies go, is a good movie. As somebody who grew up in Québec City I really appreciated how this movie really shows an intimate portrait of Quebec culture with all of its contradictions and beauty.

It showed how being an island of French in a sea of English does have an effect but that there is a definite Québecois culture which definitely bleeds into and mixes in with pop culture. For example the main character a young boy who is deeply conflicted with his sexuality is told he has the ability to heal people just by thinking of them if they are hurt...something which is uniquely Quebecois "old wives tale" The movie spans 2 decades or so, and the recreation of those decades from the house decor, to the music is really well done. The sound track shows in equal weights great Quebec classics along side such rock legends of the time of Pink Floyd and David Bowie.

The movie is great not because of a complicated twisty plot but rather really well acted and created characters. A very touching portrait of family life that can be appreciated not by just someone from that culture but supersedes cultural boundaries.

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47 out of 52 people found the following comment useful :-
Growing up in Quebec in the sixties and seventies., 18 November 2005

Author: Brigid O Sullivan (wisewebwoman) from Toronto, Canada

C.R.A.Z.Y. is simply one of the best movies of all time. It encapsulates a time and a place – Quebec in the sixties, seventies and eighties and evokes the era with an amazing sound track and jaw-dropping acting. You're there, in the moment with Gervais, played by Michel Côté who is the macho factory-working Dad.

He's the proud father of five sons but gradually realizes that one of them is a 'sissy' and takes this on personally in the jock world he inhabits. The father is a fully rounded character, not cast in the black and white mold so prevalent in other movies of this genre as his puzzled love for his fourth son Zac, played by Marc-André Grondin, is palpable.

The movie takes off in completely unexpected directions. Zac is totally uncomfortable with his sexuality and prays all the time for a 'cure'. He just wants to be like his brothers and earn the love and acceptance of his father. It is telling that for Gervais, he can accept his druggie son but not the one he suspects of being a 'fairy'.

There is a huge amount of humour in the movie, one scene in the cathedral with the boys' choir singing "Sympathy for the Devil" brought a joyful laughter to the audience I was in. It is that kind of movie. Gervais sings Charles Aznevour's hits with predicable regularity and has a thing for Patsy Cline and her music.

It is the era when everything was changing and insular Quebec, like the rest of the world, was being exposed to the outside world of David Bowie and Jefferson Airplane. Zac embraces all of these changes and struggles with his orientation.

Nothing is ever graphically portrayed, the plot is character driven all the way with incredible little sidelines and sidebars thrown in to add to the concoction. (One scene of a drunken brawl played to a beautiful opera piece comes to mind.)

Danielle Proulx, who portrays the mother, does not have much dialogue (typical of the era) but when she does speak it packs a wallop. She has a wonderful scene with Gervais where they discuss anal sex and a couple of others where her psychic ties to her son Zac are evident but never discussed.

The film just gets under your skin, you are there, in that microcosm of time when the world was changing so drastically and we just didn't know it. 9 out of 10. Take a bow Jean-Marc Vallée; you have an absolutely amazing talent! Bravo to the entire cast and crew. Movies are a pleasure when they're this special, and yes, I would see it again.

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59 out of 78 people found the following comment useful :-
Pure Cinematic Magic, 12 September 2005

Author: Jason J. W. Lisenchuk (jason.lisenchuk@gmail.com) from Canada

I approached this film with high expectations, and I was absolutely blown away.

This is one of the best films about coming of age, coming out and coming to terms that I have ever seen. It is easily the best film I have seen this year. If you had any doubts that Canadian cinema is among the best in the world, they will be forever demolished once you see this diamond of a film.

Apparently, industry insiders were equally impressed, as the film now has distributors in 40+ countries. Rush out and see it, or look for it on DVD sometime in the not too distant future.

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58 out of 81 people found the following comment useful :-
a must see!, 5 June 2005

Author: mtrottier78 from Canada

This is a movie I will never forget, which is so rare. It is a diamond. The best Canadian movie ever. the best movie about the 70s ever. The best movie about religion stigmas and evolution of the occidental societies ever. You will hear from this movie.

The director, jean-Marc Vallée, brings us in the peaceful and warm-hearted Quebec of the 60s and 70s which is a period of great changes in all North America. The music of the film is magic and you will be astonished but the performance of the actors. Michel Côté as the father, and Danielle Proulx as the mother are so realistic. it's unbelievable.

Probably the best movie since Mireilles' City of God.

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42 out of 53 people found the following comment useful :-
Quebec cinema is a hidden gem in North America and C.R.A.Z.Y. shines like a diamond., 14 August 2005

Author: tmcgurk from Montreal, Quebec

This is an outstanding film. Quebec cinema is a hidden gem in North America and C.R.A.Z.Y. shines like a diamond among the lumps of coal put out by the big name studios in the U.S. Jean-Marc Vallée (director) proves that you do not need mega-bucks to make a quality film (C.R.A.Z.Y. cost 7 million dollars to produce). The acting is outstanding and it must have been a pleasure for the cast to work with such a great script and story. To call this a coming of age story or a coming out story would be selling it short. This is a film about family dynamics and it works on so many levels it is unfair and impossible to pigeon hole this film. Being an ex-patriot ( I am from the U.S. but now live in Montreal) I hope this films gets some play in the U.S. as it is too good to be missed. If it does not wait for it on IFC, Sundance or on DVD and see it then. Bravo to Jean-Marc Vallée and the cast and crew of this film...Outstanding work!

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37 out of 46 people found the following comment useful :-
Have you ever heard the word "MUST" ? It comes from this kind of movie., 21 October 2005

Author: sideshow_666 from Canada

(I wish I wrote this in french because I will not be able to mean all in English) This movie is simple but accurate. Sometimes the subject don't need to be complicated, the emotions are enough. The life of a family searching for happiness but who sometimes find misfortune in the path. The characters are all representative of many generations. Nostalgia will get most of people. The actors are all great especially Michel Côté, Marc-André Grondin et Pierre-Luc Brilliant. Video and audio editing come from genius. The music is O_O (read the Trivia and you'll understand). I have nothing more to say than this movie will give you what you awaited for. You have to see it ... again. Félicitations Jean-Marc !!!

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39 out of 51 people found the following comment useful :-
Family relationships can be complicated by the emergence of a personal identity, territory and desire to belong. Can love really conquer all?, 13 July 2005

Author: quebecwaz from United States

Phenomenal! Amazing movie, superbly acted. (Michel Cote is nothing less than perfect in the role of Gervais Beaulieu.) Nothing amiss. Great music, drama, emotions.

I was in Montreal briefly in July and saw the movie twice. Came out as awed by it the second time as I did the first around. Although it could have been filmed in the States (the story is not particular to Quebec), it belongs to Quebec and to the people who lived similar experiences growing up in the 70s. My only hope is that it will get the recognition it deserves on the international scene.

I heard American producers are thinking of buying the rights to film it in the States... I say they should put subtitles and let it ride the wave to success.

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