What’s better than a movie about a self-centered coke-snorting man-child American traveling the Chilean desert of Atacama with a few natives and a new-aged latter day hippie? When that self-centered, coke-snorting man-child American is Michael Cera, nothing.

“Crystal Fairy and the Magical Cactus” is a 2013 experimental road trip film directed by Sebastien Silva, who also directed 2009’s “The Maid” and 2013’s “Magic Magic” (which also stars Cera). It was shown at the Sundance Film Festival two years ago and generated mixed reviews.

The film revolves around a group of mismatched 20-something-year-olds journeying through the Atacama Desert to trip on magical San Juan cactus juice.

Our ever-so-awkward Michael Cera has grown up and plays a just-as-awkward and now a slightly douche-y bigot named Jamie who befriends three friendly Chilean brothers to embark on a psychedelic journey. They encounter a not-so-dreamy pixie earth mother who calls herself Crystal Fairy, played by Gaby Hoffmann, who invites herself along for the ride.

The somewhat humorous personality clashes between cosmic queen Fairy and asshole Jamie centralize the movie’s theme of self-awareness, insight and one-ness with each other and the universe that surrounds them.

To be honest, I found Hoffman’s character nothing but lovable, even though I saw a lot more body hair and tit than I wanted to see. She did morning sun appreciation stretches and she drank with pebbles in her cup. She used her drawings as a form of currency and practiced weird breathing exercises. And it’s hard not to adore and admire her intense appreciation for the nature around her.

The three Chilean friends (played my Silva’s brothers) that accompany Crystal Fairy and Jamie on the journey speak very little but are charming in their own quiet way. I almost feel bad for them as they have to relieve the weird tension between the two vastly different characters. There’s something innocent about them that makes watchers feel a little more comfortable despite the hostility between the two American characters.

Silva actually filmed this movie without a direct script and just had a concept in mind, which results in a casual and sometimes awkward environment. The rawness and relaxed nature of the film makes watchers feel like they’re on the journey as well.

The director also touches on several obscure topics not well-known to American viewers. He incorporates a few flash frame elements and mentions something that has to do with the Mayan calendar and South American mysticism, but never fleshes out the concepts enough to make it a main part of the film.

In comparison to other trip movies, this film has minimal psychedelic effect and doesn’t end with the drug having a mystical life-changing experience. Instead the movie is mellow from beginning to end, and concludes with a satisfying kumbaya moment.

The film has a lot of humorous elements throughout, and attempts to ultimately make watchers look inside themselves and find their inner Crystal Fairy; but is the goal achieved? I don’t know.