C.R.A.Z.Y. (Canadian French)

This film has been on my list to watch for a long time, especially since it features in a lot of lists that talk about the best LGBT films of all times. And boy , were those lists right. Running over a period of little over 2 hours, its like watching the complete journey of a family. The story of Zac, a young gay man dealing with homophobia while growing up with four brothers and a conservative father in Quebec during the 1960s and 1970s is so well shot and told and you feel intruding into the families life. Sure, the film may not be perfect but it is definitely an amazing film to watch and not feel the love for it.

The film essentially focuses on Zac, fourth son of Gervais and Laurianne, who is born on Christmas eve prematurely. His brothers include Bookworm Christian, shiftless drug addict Raymond, dumb jock Antoine and youngest Yvan (and hence the title). Zac and his father share a very special loving relationship which officially comes to an end when Gervais comes home to find Zac dressed in his mother's clothes. Zac feels he is different and so does the mother but daily prays to god to make him normal. When he does a shotgun joint with his cousin's boyfriend at the age of 15, Zac's confusion starts growing about his sexuality. He doesn't feel comfortable enough to "do it" with his girlfriend Michele with the excuse that it will ruin their friendship. Eventually with strong will and after an accident, Zac begins a relationship with Michelle much to the relief of his father but his relations with Raymond continue downhill. Things are ok till Gervais sees Zac coming out of car with another boy adjusting his crotch and the war between father and son continues. Post his 20th birthday, at his eldest brother's wedding Zac shares another shotgun with the same guy but are seen by a guest who thought they were kissing. Raymond and Gervais overhear this and Raymond gets into a fight. Gervais confronts Zac in the pouring rain, and Zac admittedly comes out, yelling that while he was not kissing Paul, he wished he had been. Gervais asks Zac to leave. Zac flies to Jerusalem to reinvent himself and explore his sexuality. With much guilt and restraint, he does end up sleeping with a guy. He comes back home, only to find Raymond in hospital because of overdose which leads to his ultimate death. After the funeral, Gervais hugs Zac emotionally. and finally father and son will share and accept each other for who they are.

The big focus of the film is on father-son relationship and is very endearing to see it. As parents, in 60s-70s they want what's best for their son and talk at nights on what would be best for them but children want something else. The three actors who play Zac are all brilliant, especially the youngest one. His eyes speak a lot and the look of confusion as a kid when he wants something else for present, but gets something else; who wants to be close to his father and occasionally gets close but is shunned again is beautifully displayed. There is love between the two. An unspoken bond. And Zac wants to do everything that will please his father but how long will he be able to control who he really is. I absolutely loved the fact that the father is not portrayed as a villain here and this shows the strength of screenplay and wonderful acting y all principal characters. How do you accept your sexuality, how do you make your parents and siblings accept who you are, and how do you continue to be a single family unit? These are not easy answers and the struggle can never be understood by anyone who has not had a personal journey like this. Another good thing is that there is never anything shown graphically and its completely plot driven. Its so weird that I am feeling at a loss of words on how much I liked and appreciated the movie. There are so many scenes that touch your heart. You feel for Zac but you also feel for father and his inhibitions. One of the later scenes when Zac finds one of the records in Jerusalem of his father's favorite album is so good. Even though the film is coming-of-age drama and family entertainer; in my view it is very focussed on a father and son. The film could be a much better series, if more focus was also given to other brothers besides Zac and Raymond.

The movie is good not because of a complicated twisty plot but rather really well acted and created characters. A touching portrait of family life, this film is not perfect but I can't imagine why would anyone not like the film. (8/10)