JEAN-MARC VALLEE

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBBB

Canada, 2005.  Téléfilm Canada, Québec Crédit d’Impôt Cinéma et Télévison, Government of Canada – Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program, Super Écran, TVA Films, Astral Media, JM Films, Fake Digital Entertainment, Cirrus Communications, Crazy Films.  Screenplay by Francois Boulay, Jean-Marc Vallee.  Cinematography by Pierre Mignot.  Produced by Pierre Even. Production Design by Patrice Vermette.  Costume Design by Ginette Magny.  Film Editing by Paul Jutras.  

Who knew that the genre of coming-of-age comedies could still yield such memorable instant classics? This exceptional film from Quebec is a brilliant tour de force by director Jean-Marc Vallee, containing a top-notch screenplay, wonderful performances and a soundtrack that punctuates every scene with a perfect helping of sensory pleasure.

Zac is the fourth of five boys in a strictly Catholic French Canadian family who is struggling with his own identity, sexuality and sense of belonging throughout his awkward adolescence and teen years. It doesn’t help that his dad (Michel Côté) is a lovable but unrelenting tough guy who believes that any measure taken to make his son an exemplary case of brute masculinity is justifiable.

Emotionally satisfying, brilliantly paced.

European Film Award Nomination:  Screen International Award

Toronto International Film Festival:  2005