C.R.A.Z.Y.

C.R.A.Z.Y. is authentic, yet unpredictable

Herald rating: * * *

The coming-of-age drama gets an energetic and engaging inflection in this enjoyable French-Canadian film, which is both fluent and charming. If it takes a pretty tame and sanitised approach to its main character's gay sensibilities, it distinguishes itself from the rest of a crowded genre by being constantly unpredictable, right down to the end credit that explains the title's odd punctuation.

The plot veers a little too far from the middle of the road in the third quarter when it ends up, for heavy handedly symbolic effect, in the Sahara Desert, but most of the time it impresses as an authentic memoir of suburban family life, nailing period design and sibling relationships dead centre.

The main character, Zac (Vallee, the director's son, and later Grondin), is the fourth of five kids in a working-class Montreal Catholic family. The boy, who shares a birthday with Jesus Christ, is, according to a local clairvoyant, blessed with a healing gift. He's also the favourite of his father Gervais (Cote), who has difficulty coming to terms with the boy's confused sexuality.

In plot terms the film feels about 20 minutes too long though the ambling pace allows us to get to know the four central characters. Vallee's love for the project shines from every frame.

Cast: Michel Cote, Marc-Andre Grondin, Emile Vallee, Danielle Proulx, Pierre-Luc Brillant
Director: Jean-Marc Vallee
Running time: 126 mins
Rating: R16 (contains violence, offensive language, drug use and sex scenes)
Screening: Rialto
Verdict: Energetic and unusual French-Canadian coming-of-age drama is distinguished by great performances, soundtrack and design. Possibly 20 minutes too long.