C.R.A.Z.Y.

Canada, 2005, 127 minutes, Colour.
Michelle Cote, Marc- Andre Grondin, Danielle Proulx.
Directed by Jean- Marc Vallee.

Very popular in French Canada, this film has mixed appeal for other audiences. While most of it is presented as realistic comedy drama, there are touches of ‘magic realism’ about it.

It begins in 1960, Christmas Day, and the birth of our hero, Zac, whose eccentric story we follow. He is a ‘different’ child - a faith healer confirms that he has powers of healing (with relatives continually ringing during family meals to ask for his help). His mother is devoted to him. His father wants a tough macho son, more like his older brothers – one of whom is a lout and will grow up with drug problems and violence towards his wife, the other is a non-descript footballer. A younger brother is eventually born who distinguishes himself by being fat. This is something of a crazy family.

It emerges that Zac has some sexual problems which in the 1960s and 1970s were not talked about. This causes some anguish especially as he is expected to have a girlfriend, and one of his neighbours is willing and she tries. However, it eventually emerges that Zac is homosexual but it takes a long time for him and his family to come to terms with it.

Zac is immersed in the pop culture and styles of his time which alienates him from his father (whose main delight is a record of Patsy Cline singing Crazy).

The best aspects of the film are those which show the details of oddball family life, the brothers and their ups and downs (especially the older brother with drug problems, gaol sentences, money borrowing). Allowing for the heightened mood and the touch of caricature of family, church, school, the film reminds audiences of what attitudes were like back then, why they changed and how they changed.

1.The impact of the film? A crazy family? Patsy Cline singing ‘Crazy’? The awards?

2.The Montreal setting, the city, suburban homes, schools? Ordinary situations? Made somewhat extraordinary? The authentic feel – despite the parody and spoof? The musical score, the songs, especially Patsy Cline and the father’s love for the record? Its being used as a symbol of the relationship between father and son?

3.The title, the family itself, Zac, the way that he was perceived by his family, the way he perceived himself? Crazy within a crazy family?

4.The opening, the story of Zac? His mother’s pregnancy, going into hospital, giving birth, Christmas? The link between his birthday and the birthday of Jesus? Celebrations? Gifts? The scenes showing these birthdays over the years?

5.Zac’s parents, his mother, her love for her children? Her tolerance? Her not understanding her son, but being supportive of him? Their hopes? Her tolerance for her husband, their love, clashes? Discussions about sexuality? Their concern about Zac as he was growing up? His mother more open-minded? His father, sports, wanting his son to succeed, his disparaging remarks about sissies, about homosexuals? His refusal to face the reality about his son? The clashes? The build-up to the dinners, the fights, Zac and his alienation from his father? The eventual reconciliation? How well delineated the characters of mother and father, how credible?

6.The four boys, their growing up together, games together? Raymond and his being pushy, his growing up, taking drugs, dependent? Violent? The clashes with Zac, seeing Zac as a favourite? His girlfriend, his going to jail, his violence? Coming out of jail, sex encounters, being clean and dry, falling back? His wanting money from the family? Zac giving him money? His wanting to pay it back? His making a mess of his life? Antoine, sporty, breaking wind – a stereotype? The youngest brother, his being fat, his dependence on Zac, the younger generation as different from the older? The portrait of the four boys and their growing up?

7.The passing of time, the Midnight Masses, Zac and his imagination, being bored? The reaction of the priest? Glaring, sympathy? The children’s choir and performing Sympathy for the Devil? The religious background? The surface Catholicism? The role of the church, church practices, prayer? Zac and his rebellion?

8.Zac and his growing up from fifteen to twenty-one? Rebellion? His clothes? The lightning flash on his face? His relationship with his girlfriend, the encounters, his reluctance, trying to prove himself? Her liking him – but eventually being disillusioned? His best friend, his best friend being gay, the episode in the car, his father’s reaction? Zac and his denial? His trying to prove himself? The passing of the years, an acknowledgment? His final decision to travel, his going to Israel, the encounter with the young man? It merely being suggested – and the film being visually and verbally reticent about the theme? The importance of the trip to Jerusalem, postcard to his mother? Israel as a kind of quest?

9.The sporting characters, the extended family, the visits, the celebrations, the parties? Joy, tensions? The passing of the years?

10.The importance of the passing of the years, the period between 1960 and 1980, costumes, décor, the suggestion of the times?

11.Zac and his qualities, his possibilities of healing, his mother taking all the phone calls, promoting his skills? People depending on him, asking him for healing? His own attitude, reluctance?

12.The portrait of a young boy, in Montreal, the religious changes in Montreal, more permissive society? The changes in family bonds? Zac and his immersion in the culture, his favourite records, the posters in his room, a person of his time and culture?