Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus at it's core is a road trip film, but rather then wacky happenings (any of the Road To movies of Bob Hope & Bing Crosby) or dark developments (all The Hangover films), one of the underlying theme is America's insatiable hunger for more, regardless of the outcome or inconvenience. You could call it capitalism run amok (that might be redundant) or culture imperialism (a large percentage of Americans overseas will sprint to McDonald's so they can have some "normal food").

Michael Cera's role as the ultimate pushy, drug addled, ugly American is a great personification of these ideas. His demanding, complaining, selfish character Jamie almost blots out the beauty of the Chilean road trip he's on and negates the fun for his companions (all Chilean natives). But it is saved by their good & laid back nature and leaning into the fact that shit happens on trips regardless of what's on the stupid itinerary. And then there is the emergence of the Crystal Fairy (Gaby Hoffmann) with her maternal wisdom and full bush.

What I thought would be a fun little drug romp, turned our to be a film trying and succeeding to tell a sublime story of travel, friendships & shared experiences. It is Cera's best role ever and Hoffmann is a amazing hippie / gypsy force to be reckoned with. Get high and have a happy, little cry while you watch this.