Review: Crystal Fairy

Last Updated on August 2, 2021


Note: This review originally ran as part of our Sundance coverage in January.

PLOT: Jamie (Michael Cera) is in Chile on a non-stop drug binge, with the ultimate goal of trying a shamanistic hallucinogen called the San Pedro Cactus. He takes a road-trip with his Chilean roommate and his two brothers, with the goal of buying this elusive cactus and taking it on the beach. However, the night before they leave, Jamie- in the midst of a coke binge, invites another American tourist, an eccentric young lady who calls herself the Crystal Fairy (Gaby Hoffmann). When she joins them, her and Jamie immediately lock horns- a situation made even worse once they finally get their hands on the San Pedro cactus.

REVIEW: CRYSTAL FAIRY is one of two Chilean movies- directed by Sebastian Silva, and starring Michael Cera to play this year's edition of the Sundance Film Festival- with the second, MAGIC, MAGIC due to premiere sometime next week. CRYSTAL FAIRY starts off not all that different from your average, run-of-the-mill Michael Cera comedy, albeit a seriously R-rated variation, with the former George Michael/Scott Pilgrim doing an ungodly amount of cocaine, and picking up a couple of transsexual hookers (but only to cook rice for them- natch) within the first ten minutes. I don't consider that a bad thing, as I'm an unapologetic fan of the guy- especially when it comes to ARRESTED: DEVELOPMENT (although the less said about PAPER HEARTS the better).

Indeed, the whole first half of CRYSTAL FAIRY borders of being uncontrollably hilarious- especially once the titular character is introduced. I remember Gaby Hoffmann from the run of movies she did as a child star in the nineties, so it was a shock to the system to see her as the free-spirited Crystal, who frequently walks around completely naked- au natural (meaning, unshaved in all regards- yikes). She's very funny in a part that could have been insufferable, and her anti-chemistry with Cera is pitch-perfect.

Cera's mounting frustration with his unwanted guest is very funny, especially his reaction to her walking around naked . His character Jamie, is kind of like what George Michael would be if he spent a few years away from the Bluths doing drugs, and becoming an asshole. He's very funny throughout. I also really liked his three Chilean co-stars, all of whom I believe are related to director Silva- Juan Andres Silva, Jose Miguel Silva, and Augustin Silva- who play his more patient road trip companions. Too bad then that CRYSTAL FAIRY overstays it's welcome a tad. Once our five characters actually get their hands on the San Pedro cactus, and take their mescaline trip, the film becomes a bit of an ordeal. Sure, Cera is funny to watch stoned, but that wears off pretty quick. Ever spend an extended amount of time hanging out with a friend who's completely stoned, while you're stone-cold sober? Yeah- that's kinda what CRYSTAL FAIRY becomes in it's last half hour. It all culminates in a surprisingly somber confession by Crystal Fairy in a scene that's without a doubt, powerfully acted by Hoffman, but is a bit of a downer in a film that had previously been pretty light- although it ends on an appropriately soothing note.

All in all, I'm glad I took in CRYTAL FAIRY, as for at least forty minutes of the movie I was wildly entertained. It's certainly good enough that I'll check out the second Silva-Cera collaboration, MAGIC, MAGIC- although I hope it's more consistent. Still, CRYTAL FAIRY is worth watching for a few laughs, and if in the right “frame of mind” (after ingesting the right substance)- it might be somewhat more profound.

Crystal Fairy

AVERAGE

6
-

Viewer Ratings (0 reviews)

Add your rating

Source: JoBlo.com

About the Author

Chris Bumbray began his career with JoBlo as the resident film critic (and James Bond expert) way back in 2007, and he has stuck around ever since, being named editor-in-chief in 2021. A voting member of the CCA and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, you can also catch Chris discussing pop culture regularly on CTV News Channel.