Crystal Fairy (18)

Directed by Sebastian Silva

5 Stars

Chilean director Sebastian Silva's road-trip story is a real eye-opener on modern Chilean society.

Based on autobiographical experience, it tells the story of the young Jamie from the US who travels around Chile hoping to trip on the psychoactive chemical found in the San Pedro cactus.

With his Chilean best friend and two other mates, Jamie - given an unpredictable and poignant characterisation by Michael Cera - embarks upon a trip to the far north, aiming to find the magic cactus and get stoned on a beach.

Along the way, he picks up a crazy girl named Crystal Fairy (Gaby Hoffmann). Kind and gentle, she's up in the clouds as she endlessly practises spiritual healing.

While Jamie develops an obsession with the cactus, his relationship with Crystal verges on the confrontational. But when they start tripping, an unexpectedly profound experience results.

With a rich narrative, unpredictable plot development and a sharp sense of humour, Silva's film casts an acute eye on foreigners travelling to Chile - a country with undercurrents of racial and class differences - and interacting with the locals. As in Silva's previous film The Maid, those differences are never far from the surface.

A striking reflection on communication and friendship, Crystal Fairy confirms Silva as a distinctive talent in world cinema.

Rita Di Santo