I have been so obsessed with this movie the past couple days. My discovery of it is quite timely, considering how I just recently complained that most gays in fiction are flat/typified characters or their central conflict revolves around their sexuality. It's so interesting that only a few days later, I should find a movie that totally contradicts that claim!
Essentially, J'ai tué ma mère is a movie about a teenage boy and his turbulent relationship with his mother. That the main character is homosexual is just one of many elements of the story.
I think one reason this movie made such an impression in my mind is because I found much of the dialogue quite relatable--in some instances, horrifyingly so. When arguing with his mother, the main character voices the same bitchy thoughts that I often hold myself back from saying aloud IRL. For example, at one point near the beginning, the main character has an argument with his mother, and once they stop speaking to each other, the mother starts humming to herself. After a few seconds of this, the son yells, "Stop singing when you're uncomfortable!" And I couldn't help but laugh because my mother does the EXACT same thing and it honestly annoys me too!
Both the mother and son characters are equal parts sympathetic and unsympathetic. I read one review where the writer called this movie "the closest we'll probably get to seeing Catcher in the Rye onscreen." I'm not sure if I could make such a bold claim, but it IS certainly true that, though relatable to many (myself included), the main character is not the most honest or even likable of characters: he's hypocritical, rude, self-righteous, self-centered, and when expressing his thoughts and feelings, he certainly has a flair for the overdramatic. The film is certainly aware of its protagonist's flaws, but the character himself is not. (That this story is semi-autobiographical makes the honesty of the narrative even more impressive. Lord knows I couldn't portray myself this way!)
And the work as a whole is even more impressive when you realize that the director/writer/lead actor of this movie Xavier Dolan wrote & filmed this when he was only 19. I just really like this movie ok. Go watch it! :)
