The 2024 indie film Straight Through Crew is an almost literal slice of life. English life. Zooming in on the every day existence of young people doing what they can to exist. This “punk” version of filmmaking, puts us in the moment. The film feels so real, we can smell the fag smoke. As well as the stale beer and the odour of hangover that is, oh so familiar. At least to those who lived that “life.”
Straight Through Crew Story
It is Christmas Eve in Andover. A group of friends, past and present, look to getting high and mending past issues. The group realise that they are not progressing as they should. Drugs and relationships shift and merge to bring about new problems.
The Cast
Charles Craddock is Aden.
Jessica Pearce is Jamie.
Conchita Mbuyambo is Deanna.
Laura Hall is Lisane.
Ella Dunlop as Stephanie.
Jason Rosato is Richie.
Straight Through Crew is Topical
This film is topical, despite the feeling that it is a cross between Skins and Eastenders. *Although the location is not East End but Andover, near Hampshire.* The film looks at the younger population. They are interested in raves, clubbing and getting high. In this microcosm of society, this is what counts.
If you ever wanted to experience life in the slow lane? Watch this film. It examines the day to day existence of “small town” youngsters who are struggling.
It also explores the old Thomas Wolfe adage, “You can’t go home again.” Jamie discovers that you can, but things are very different no matter how familiar they may feel.
Memories
This film was full of memories, for me. I lived that life, to an extent.It is interesting to note that time has not changed things that much. Although there were no “handbag” dances *If you know, you know.* but raves are still a thing.
The film is set on Christmas Eve. Unlike my old days, the pub did not empty out for Midnight Mass at the local Anglican Church. Instead, this group, re-up their high in the morning.
People who live outside of England may need to have a cheat sheet to explain some of the dialogue. Americans will need to gird their loins in the area of language. Plus, the non-English viewer will need to pay attention to the intricacies of the story.
Straight Through Crew Works
Writer/director David Campion gives us a topical tale that feels as right as it is wrong. Aden lives from high to high. Jamie, his ex is coming home after finding London a drag, and the local scene has not changed.
At all.
Perhaps it helps to be English, but the film feels like a sort of homage. A punk rock ode to all the youngsters who dream and fail. To those stuck in the eternal rut of life. It lets us into the lives of those who did not dream. The friends who never thought outside that box.
And the one who dared to dream but failed.
Social Clubs and Drugs
Straight Through Crew manages to hit all those emotions we encounter while “growing up.” We move through the world of all these youngsters whose world is social clubs, pubs and soft drugs.
Campion takes us into the lives of those who do not move on. As one character puts it, “We are here, till we aren’t.” This is England. Pubs and social clubs till closing and then the nightclubs. Drinking, getting high and letting the interactions ebb and flow like the ever moving tide.
Even those of us who prefer alcohol over weed, E, or other recreational drugs will recognize all these characters. Rural England never felt so real.
The Verdict
Campion gives us a slice of life that feel like home. Escapism via the fishbowl of living outside of London. Straight Through Crew earns a solid 4.5 stars here. I loved it. The film brought memories flooding back of my time growing up in the UK.
If punk rock had a film equivalent, this is it. Not quite gorilla filmmaking, not quite punk, but a delightful mix of the two. Keep an eye out for this one. It is a great example of Indie Film done right.
The Trailer
