Un crabe dans la tête

Andre Turpin's "Un crabe dans la tete" is a vibrant, fresh and enigmatic film that proves once again that some of the best new films in Canada are coming out of the Quebec scene. Turpin's vision takes the visual playfulness of Denis Villineuve's "Maelstrom" one step further, while elminating some of the latter film's pretentions in the process. "Un crabe" is very free-form and incidental in structure, with its protagonist, Alex (David La Haye) playing a sort of existential Don Juan, who just cannot say "no" to anyone or any situation. While the tone is generally light and the pace is brisk, Turpin slips in a few serious, introspective moments that ground the film in reality. Amidst the sometimes fantastic picaresque journey, there are moments of devastating reality and repercussion.

This is a very good film from Quebec. The acting was nice, it was a really understated drama but at the same time had really strange (in a good way) elements to it and it had something to say. Can't go into too many details without spilling the beans but it's a good story about a guy who's kind of a knob and who has a lot of trouble with relationships both with women and just friends in general.

The story of Alex (David La Haye) who craves for love and attention but, when it's getting too overwhelming, find refuge in the deepness of the sea. This contradiction is a the centre of the movie. A refreshing film with an original scenario, Un crabe dans la tête is fun to watch. But I would agree that there's a point to be made about how it's difficult to develop any feeling for the characters.

David La Haye is great in the main role. And the other characters are well performed by the rest of the cast. I liked Pascale Desrochers in the role of Audrey. She's also playing in the tv-series Virginie. That role seems to be a follow-up on the one she's playing in Un crabe dans la tête.

Out of 100, I gave it 82. That's good for *** out of ****.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on March 19th, 2004.

I would take a film that has a great feel over a film with a great plot any day, which is not even the case here, because I would argue that the plot has more than enough to keep you interested. David LaHaye's utterly watchable performance is spot on and unlike any other you'll ever see -- and men don't usually get kudos from women for their portrayal of immature men. And if that wasn't enough, André Turpin, who directed and shot this, has a way of making films look like they're lit with light that's bounced off crystals -- there's this beautiful sheen you'd only expect to see in movies from the other side of the Atlantic. My favourite part is that even though it's got the makings of a serious drama, the dialogue is a smart and hilarious ode to the Québécois language that makes no apologies for not being from France. Quite honestly, my favourite Canadian film from the last 10 years.

One could compare the scenario of "Un Crabe" the best with Dostoevski's novel, "The Idiot". We see our "hero" Alex, who we could regard as an idiot, but nevertheless, we see that he becomes the centrepiece in the scenario, just like Dostoevski's main character in "The Idiot". And all seem to need him very much, in their own special way.

His very best friend, Sam, welcomes him with open arms since he's so happy to have him back in his life. Another friend, Audrey, dares not to leave her flat and trusts him with her "business". And of course, the gallery director who says "je t'aime" to Alex. Need we mention as well that Alex sort of stopped his relationship with his "wife"?

We also see Alex make new friends, namely the cold and distant Marie; Sara (the girlfriend of Sam) with whom Alex gets on very well; Armando, the lonely rich kid who has nothing else better to do than to spend his fortune on drugs.

The scanario is very original and very well written. And like in Dostoevski's "The Idiot" we seem to ask ourselves, who is really the idiot here ... Alex or the society around him.

If you're in the mood to see a mainstream Hollywood film, with the basic Hollywood script of action, braindead violence and the cool happy end, this isn't the film for you. However, if you want to see something original and with much insight, you will enjoy your time spent watching this film.

Vive la differénce ;)

m.