review and contest: c.r.a.z.y.

c.r.a.z.y., just out on dvd, proves the coming out movie is not dead, as long as it's peppered with original symbolism (yes, this is still possible), daydreaming during church, furtive sex, familial magic, slow motion violence and patsy cline.  oh and it also has to be french canadian, have more cigarette and doobie smoke than a prom limo, be full of stellar performances both subtle and full-forced, and be a complete visual and auditory package.  under jean-marc vallée's skillful direction, and featuring engrossing, sometimes frustratingly realistic lead performances by michel côté as patriarch gervais beaulieu, danielle proulx as mother laurianne (who acts with just her back as well as powerhouse sada thompson) and marc-andré grondin and émile vallée as son zachary from 6 to 21, this film shines moment to moment, almost more so than it does as a whole.  filmgoers agreed, doling out 10 genie awards (canada's version of oscar).

it accomplishes the impossible, eliciting sympathy for the homophobic, unaccepting father, possibly because back when zachary was born, christmas day 1960 (symbolism!), the word homophobic had yet to be invented (i think).  too often we give up on the idea or reality of family in our lives and in so doing we give up on who we are.  whether or not there are people to fill the roles of father, of brother, of lover, this film reminds that the need for connection must be maintained, if not for blood relatives or a teenage lover to help one through one's own teen years, then the connection with that desire within oneself.  else it fade.

homo teen angst should not have a statue of limitations, even after the teen years have officially passed, because desire can one day be met.  in a hug.  in a strong hug.  this is a powerful movie.  to be seen.  i didn't necessarily see myself in zachary or maybe i did so much i can't even name how.  i watched a gay movie and didn't look for my own story for once.  instead i saw zachary and his brothers and his father and mother.  i saw his hairstyles, room and clothes change to denote the passage of time.  i saw his life for years.  i saw his desire.  i saw his pain.  i saw his simple celebrations.  and i believed it all.

contest:  i have one copy for giveaway.  post a comment for your chance to win.  make sure to include your e-mail.  you must be a u.s. resident (horrible i know since the flick is french canadian, but that's the rule).

winner is damion of queering the apparatus, and not just because his was the only entry, but because he's sweet.

buy c.r.a.z.y.

Comments

[damion]

this movie looks sweet.