C.R.A.Z.Y.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Cast: Michel Côté, Marc-André Grondin, Danielle Proulx, Pierre-Luc Brillant
Runtime: 127 minutes
Country: Canada
Language: French with English subtitles
Rating: 14A (Sexually suggestive scenes, coarse language, drug use)

"C.R.A.Z.Y. is undeniably one of the greatest cinematographic surprises of the year." – Marc-André Lussier, La Presse

Yet another great film to emerge from Quebec, C.R.A.Z.Y., which won the Best Feature Award at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival reveals the full extent of Jean-Marc Vallée’s (LISTE NOIRE) touching and inspirational talent.

The story of a son’s struggle with identity and his quest for acceptance from his family, C.R.A.Z.Y. is potently set against the backdrop of Quebec’s ‘Quiet Revolution’ that began in the sixties.

Born Christmas Day, 1960, the fourth of five brothers, Zac Beaulieu (Marc-André Grondin) is different but desperate to fit in. To win the approval of his father, Gervais (Michel Côté, LE DERNIER TUNNEL), Zac tries to deny his homosexuality; he dates his childhood neighbour while harbouring a secret crush on his cousin’s boyfriend.

Set in suburban Montreal, the film seamlessly unfolds over the course of forty years, during which Zac must come to terms with a whirlwind of experiences in order to accept his true nature.

Inspired by co-writer François Boulay’s own childhood, Vallée brings to the screen a poignant coming-of-age tale set amidst an uncanny depiction of family life in Montreal from the sixties to the present. Boulay and Vallée’s engrossing script makes expert use of familial interactions, filmed by Vallée with a light hand and touches of magic realism that reveal the inner workings of the suburban Québécois family. At the heart of Vallée’s dynamic and inventive film is the pairing of key scenes with popular songs from the likes of Patsy Cline and David Bowie. Audiences will embrace the Beaulieu family and be moved by the magical spirit of C.R.A.Z.Y.

"...Vallée has created an engaging and touching family story that traces the social and moral evolution of Quebec over the last forty years." – Louis-Paul Rioux, Media-film.com