C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)

If you've seen Berlin Film Fest winner Transamerica, you might want to see C.R.A.Z.Y. I promise you won't regret it. Although the title sounds a bit, well, crazy, the story is simply marvelous.

Set in the 1960's Quebec, C.R.A.Z.Y. chronicled the lives of the Beaulieus, a hip suburban family headed by a gruff and macho father.

Told mainly from the perspective of the fourth youngest son, Zachary, in a brood of five all-male children, the story depicts the era of uncertainty and growing up around booze, music and sex. Zachary used to be a favorite son of his father until the latter chanced upon him wearing dress and jewelry and "mothering" his youngest brother to sleep. This sad incident was to mar the beautiful father-son relationship of Zach and his dad.

Zach since then became someone else. Despite his healing powers (he could cure relatives of minor aches and pains just by thinking their names) and deeply Catholic upbringing, he had trouble reconciling benevolence of God with his "abnormality" (as his father called it). The fact that Zach was born exactly on Christmas day made matters worse for him because he was constantly bringing shame to his family.

A mystical journey to Jerusalem (the end of the earth) brought Zach to the realization of the use of his powers and his mission.

The film is full of love, understanding and compassion. The official site calls this movie "A love story between a father and a son. A mystical and whimsical fable on the human soul, beautiful, foolish and lyrical."
And I think I should not disagree!

Fanatic Verdict: Bring a Kleenex!