mrs_george_harrison Reviews

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

A great film - highly entertaining, touching and funny

[9/10 · 1 February 2008]

This was an outstanding film - well acted and the narrative is well structured and detailed. I found myself not being able to stop watching, it really is that gripping. The story is of a boy called Zac who feels like an outcast in his own family. He is different to his other brothers and this makes him have a close bond with his mother but it's exactly the opposite with his father. We see him grow up through the 60s, 70s and 80s, managing to pull himself together learning to cope with his 4 brothers, strict father and adoring mother.

The film has a great soundtrack which changes the atmosphere of the different eras and also depicts teenage life throughout the 70s to a tee. The imagery is dream-like and artistic and the storyline and characters are well detailed and realistic.

This film is hard to describe in terms of genre. It's not avant-garde but it's not Hollywood cinema either, it's in-between. It's kind of a romantic nostalgic take on teenage life - the highs and the lows of being a teenager. It specifically looks at the troubles one can have learning who they are growing up and specifically focuses on relationships a family who are so different from each other but are bound by love.

Although the film is French and is in subtitles, don't let this put you off... most of the good films are actually coming from European countries these days. The film is enjoyable despite not being in English and this shows that this film is actually one of a kind and a must watch.

This film is kind of a mix of Dazed and Confused and American Beauty. If you liked films that explore the good and bad sides of life and then makes you think and reflect about your own life after watching it then you should take a look at this... you will not regret it. Enjoy!

The Beniker Gang (1984)

A family film

[8/10 · 6 May 2005]

I thought this was a good film with an emotional storyline based on a 'family' of five orphans. The five realise they have a special bond together, and see themselves as a family. Arthur, the leader of the family is 18 and has an unusual job but it pays the bills. There are two teen boys, one teenage girl and a six year old boy. They all decide to leave their orphanage so they won't be fostered and then separated from each other. On the run, they eventually find their dream house and have the time of their lives finally living as a family at last. However, they encounter problems when their neighbours suspect that they are runaways without parents and Arthur and the rest of them have to fight to stay together. There is a great bond between these orphans which makes it a good film to watch, especially for the family.