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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: French ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), French ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Born Christmas Day 1960, Zac Beaulieu is the fourth of five sons of Gervais and Laurianne Beaulieu. Zac feels somewhat disconnected to his brothers, all of whom are different from each other. They include the bookworm Christian who is the eldest, the dumb jock Antoine who is third, and the youngest Yvan. But Zac has the most contempt for his second eldest brother, the shiftless druggie Raymond. To his devout Catholic mother, Zac is her miracle son, both for being born the same day as Jesus Christ (a fact which Zac has always hated), and because a Tupperware-selling mystic once told her that he has the power to heal. Laurianne has always coddled Zac, the two who have a special if unspoken bond. But Zac wants more to please his father, who wants more than anything in his sons that they grow up to be man's men and not sissies. As Zac goes through his mid-teens to early twenties, Zac isn't sure if he can live up to the ideals of either his mother or especially his father. A young man with stress-induced asthma, Zac just wants to be what he considers normal, which includes getting rid of his asthma. But more importantly, he wants to get rid of the underlying thoughts that he has and which most going through puberty have, but that for him are becoming more prevalent as he grows older. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: European Film Awards, Toronto International Film Festival, ...C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) ( C.R.A.Z.Y. - Loucos de Amor ) ( Crazy )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Does the collective cinema going public have the stomach for another gay film? After the success of Brokeback Mountain it seems that any film dealing with the subject of homosexuality risks comparison. This is unfair, especially when a film like C.R.A.Z.Y. comes along. Brokeback Mountain was not especially subtle on the gay theme. One moment longing glances were being exchanged, and the next Heath Ledger is spitting in his hand, getting ready ride the rodeo. So to speak. Throughout the film the fact these cowboys were gay was shouted out in lip locked, vigorously passionate scenes.
C.R.A.Z.Y. is a far more delicate affair. The question of lead character Zac's homosexuality is softly debated from the outset, but is not formerly resolved. Instead the film sees a far more realistic struggle for Zac, as he wrestles with his `condition', growing up in a family were to be gay is unacceptable, in a society only just emerging from severe catholic-led conservatism. The coming of age story is an old, sometimes haggard genre. C.R.A.Z.Y. manages to tell the story in a new way, taking a serious and thoughtful look at how a typical family copes with a son who is obviously different.
The setting is in itself a novelty. The Quebec of the 1970s is unknown territory. Lets face it - Quebec of any time is pretty obscure. But it is a fascinating insight to a society that is changing far more quickly than many of its residents cares to imagine. Catholicism is losing its grip. The children are infused and enthused with the music of these changing times. Ziggy Stardust rules. It is drugs, sex and rock `n' roll, with not even a disparaging reference for Johnny Hallyday.
Zac is the focus of the film, but the performances of his mother and father are just magnificent. His mother is so patiently loving, willing to allow each of her children to be different, and so emotional as the losses and heartaches of family life are revealed. His father is not as sensitive, and can not handle the obvious differences in his son. With five sons to his name he has his own masculinity issues, and refuses to accept the possibility that one of his own children is a fairy.
Perhaps the biggest success of the film is to deal with the subject of homosexuality without making it the absolute central tenant. It is a much more mature, confident handling of a subject as a facet of family life. The whole world does not fall apart upon the revelations. It is a difficult time, with acrimonious words and bitter deeds, but reconciliation is possible. It is a window into the real world of most gay people - accepted just slightly misunderstood.
C.R.A.Z.Y. is a far more delicate affair. The question of lead character Zac's homosexuality is softly debated from the outset, but is not formerly resolved. Instead the film sees a far more realistic struggle for Zac, as he wrestles with his `condition', growing up in a family were to be gay is unacceptable, in a society only just emerging from severe catholic-led conservatism. The coming of age story is an old, sometimes haggard genre. C.R.A.Z.Y. manages to tell the story in a new way, taking a serious and thoughtful look at how a typical family copes with a son who is obviously different.
The setting is in itself a novelty. The Quebec of the 1970s is unknown territory. Lets face it - Quebec of any time is pretty obscure. But it is a fascinating insight to a society that is changing far more quickly than many of its residents cares to imagine. Catholicism is losing its grip. The children are infused and enthused with the music of these changing times. Ziggy Stardust rules. It is drugs, sex and rock `n' roll, with not even a disparaging reference for Johnny Hallyday.
Zac is the focus of the film, but the performances of his mother and father are just magnificent. His mother is so patiently loving, willing to allow each of her children to be different, and so emotional as the losses and heartaches of family life are revealed. His father is not as sensitive, and can not handle the obvious differences in his son. With five sons to his name he has his own masculinity issues, and refuses to accept the possibility that one of his own children is a fairy.
Perhaps the biggest success of the film is to deal with the subject of homosexuality without making it the absolute central tenant. It is a much more mature, confident handling of a subject as a facet of family life. The whole world does not fall apart upon the revelations. It is a difficult time, with acrimonious words and bitter deeds, but reconciliation is possible. It is a window into the real world of most gay people - accepted just slightly misunderstood.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am a big fan of Canadian films, and CRAZY didn't fail to impress. I admired how Zach's sexuality was hinted, and although it was an important part of the narative, it also wasn't treated as the main focus. I loved the quirky aspects (like his dad's singing, his powers to heal and his daydreams in church etc.) and it wasn't easily compared with other films, as it is very original. I personally prefer smaller films to the holywood ones because they express more.
I felt that films which other people have compared CRAZY too didn't really compare. CRAZY is better acted and has a better narrative than say Brokeback Mountain. Also the focus on the character than the sexuality was more compelling than hollywood's attempts.
I also felt that the subtle symbolism was very effective, like how the initials of the sons spell the movie title (Christian, Raymond, Antoine, Zach and Yvan) and also to Patsy Cline's "Crazy" which Zach's father is obsessed with.
C.R.A.Z.Y. was well-received by critics winning 11 out of 13 Genie Awards for 2006.
A brillient film and a definate must see!
(The film is spoken in French-Canadian but there are automatic subtitles on the Region 2 DVD. The soundtrack is amazing.)
I felt that films which other people have compared CRAZY too didn't really compare. CRAZY is better acted and has a better narrative than say Brokeback Mountain. Also the focus on the character than the sexuality was more compelling than hollywood's attempts.
I also felt that the subtle symbolism was very effective, like how the initials of the sons spell the movie title (Christian, Raymond, Antoine, Zach and Yvan) and also to Patsy Cline's "Crazy" which Zach's father is obsessed with.
C.R.A.Z.Y. was well-received by critics winning 11 out of 13 Genie Awards for 2006.
A brillient film and a definate must see!
(The film is spoken in French-Canadian but there are automatic subtitles on the Region 2 DVD. The soundtrack is amazing.)
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm always buying "world cinema" that I watch and put on to my dvd rack never to be touched again, however an exception to the rule is C.R.A.Z.Y. which is an fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable coming-of-age story. I agree with the other review that many people could catagorize this with brokeback but the 'in-your-face' love story isn't what this movie is all about, its the real experiences and simply hints about the main character's sexuality apart from a small fumble.
I wasn't expecting a lot from C.R.A.Z.Y. and was pleasantly surprised by the movie. I would recommend this to pretty much anyone who enjoys movie that aren't the normal hollywood spin on things.
I wasn't expecting a lot from C.R.A.Z.Y. and was pleasantly surprised by the movie. I would recommend this to pretty much anyone who enjoys movie that aren't the normal hollywood spin on things.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
some fantastic sequences
This film comes at you rather pele-mele and I didn't like it all that much on first viewing, finding the beginning too tricksy. Read more
Published 2 months ago by schumann_bg
Really Draws You In
I couldn't sleep and i flipped over the TV channel to see the end of a film and then this film came on straight after. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ms. Natasha B. Heard-white
Bittersweet, moving and glorious
This movie succeeds in portraying growing up, teenage years and family dynamics with this delicate balance of warmth, humour and cruelty that you might remember. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Laurisis
Engrosssing
Engrossing .... definition - wholly absorbing .
This is one of my FAVORITES .
Some of my other recommendations -Leo's Room [DVD] [2009]Y Tu Mama Tambien [DVD]... Read more
This is one of my FAVORITES .
Some of my other recommendations -Leo's Room [DVD] [2009]Y Tu Mama Tambien [DVD]... Read more
Published 19 months ago by G. federico Migoya
Sheer brilliance....
`Crazy' is perhaps one of my most favourite French/Canadian films. It is also one of the few films that have ever moved me to the point of tears, and ironically so considering that... Read more
Published on 28 April 2010 by Kurt Clare
A growing up story with good music
It is a complex story of a family where the praised son becomes a stigmatised boy... The movie is very emotional and shows well a struggle a young gay man. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by Heiko Paabo
One of my favourite movies.
I love this movie. I think it's really well made and amazingly beautiful. A must watch.
Published on 14 Jun 2009 by Zoe and Emma
What an amazing film...
Excellent acting, wonderful characters and inter-relationships, fantastic soundtrack - I hired it without knowing much about it and just really loved it. Read more
Published on 19 April 2007 by Josephine Claire Dillon Harris
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