There’s no better time to reflect on one’s life choices than the holidays. Even better to do so in the company of loved ones and, in the case of writer/director David Campion’s smalltown drama Straight Through Crew, a whole lot of drugs.
Set in the town of Ludgershall, the film follows a group of youngsters led by Aden (Charles Craddock), who’s eager to wash his worries away with a good old-fashioned holiday bender. Accompanied by Richie (Jason Rosato) and the mule of the bunch, Jingle (James Douglas-Quarcoopome), they all head out to a local rave. Unbeknownst to Aden, Jamie (Jessica Pearce), an old flame of his, has also arrived in town after a lengthy stay in London. When they finally collide, they set in motion a series of events that lay the foundation for a Christmas Eve that won’t soon be forgotten. Aden’s sorrow leads to him ingesting copious amounts of illicit substances, leaving it up to his disgruntled friends to feverishly search for him before it’s too late.
Less a social commentary, more an unbiased window into the lives of troubled, isolated young adults, Straight Through Crew benefits from a character-focused approach that emphasizes tumultuous relationships, past and present. The benefit of Campion’s choice of cast and setting is that it can cater to a broad audience. What they are dealing with is tangible, without feeling out of touch with the plot. Rosato’s Ritchie is particularly well-written, and Lisane (Laura Hall) and Stephanie (Ella Dunlop) have a secret that only serves to upend the social stigmas and taboos in such an outlier community. Drugs and alcohol abound, but the marriage of styles that echo Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting and Sam Levinson’s Euphoria gives the popular “rager teenager” trope a tasteful, if familiar, execution. The vibrant, sizzling atmosphere and drug-fueled outbursts are intense sights to behold, yet they still maintain the weight of their themes.
Aden and Jamie are the emotional core of the story, and while the former does go off on his own unique journey during this entire ordeal, the energy in the room changes whenever the two come into contact with each other. Craddock and Pearce are in great form, even if riding the wave of their characters emotional trauma yields some diminishing returns. The romance aspect isn’t the film’s strongest suit, but it nevertheless serves as a noteworthy catalyst to the entire evening of twists and turns. This, in turn, prompts Jamie to reveal details about their previous relationship and her growing dissatisfaction with her life away from home. Aden, on the other hand, is dealing with his own demons, both mental and physical, as his mind becomes more foggy. Director of Photography Tom O’Keefe infuses these scenes with inspired lighting choices and camerawork, showcasing his best work.
There’s a lot to like about David Campion’s countryside drama, Straight Through Crew, with well-realized characters and an overall solid reflection of one’s personal demons and overindulgence.
