C.R.A.Z.Y (Jean Marc Vallee, Canada, 127 mins, French w/ Eng subs)

Movie titles often hints on the tilt of the theme with a very basic notion of the film, whether literally or indirectly. This film goes a long way in doing that; it embodies everything about the movie to the extent that the title becomes the very essence of the movie. Loosely based on co-writer Francois Boulay’s memories of growing, and i must say, along with Jean Marc Vallee, they have created one of the best coming of age movies.

There was a way long forgotten about making ordinary lives seem so wonderful and interesting and watching this makes me remember how. Lives of 5 brothers and their family, interwoven before the eyes of Zachary. It apparently took 10 years to write this film, and i can see why. The depth of each character is vivid; everyone has very interesting traits, each person is carefully detailed and you feel alot for certain characters. You can feel both the happiness and anguish each character feels, because it’s easy to relate to. I, for one, was moved by his Zachary’s antics to ‘heal’ his asthma, since everything else failed him, Mum, medicine and the tupperware lady who thinks he’s divine, and he thought only God or something freakish would save him.

As they go along, you’ll see the there indeed isn’t any right or wrong about growing up, they all took different paths, and they seem to turn out alright. Disappointments and anger come and go, but families are forever. I’ll rate this as the best coming of age movie i’ve ever watched, and as a general movie, there is a comparable likeness to Goodfellas, on so many levels that i’d find it hard to pick which was better. The music, the plot and the characters, much like in The Goodfellas, are superb. The Who, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Patsy Cline, David Bowie and Elvis, ringing the tunes, putting the gloss on a timeless classic.