CrissCross

The story unfolds in the late 1960s, around the time of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. It captures a period of social change, economic struggle, and the search for stability in a youth-driven counterculture. The events—drug dealing, a commune, and an undercover operation—are anchored in the era’s rough-edged realities.

Key West, Florida, in 1969 provides a sun-soaked coastal backdrop. The town is shown through cheap hotels and the everyday grind of Tracy and Chris, highlighting a working-class, weathered environment. Its bohemian and rough edges frame the film’s mix of family strain, crime, and small-time struggles.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family & Survival

The story centers on Tracy and Chris as they scramble to survive poverty while balancing love, responsibility, and fear. Chris’s coming-of-age is driven by the need to protect his mother and himself in a world of bars, hotels, and rough choices. The film uses intimate family moments to explore loyalty, sacrifice, and the costs of staying together.

💊 Crime & Consequences

Chris stumbles into drug dealing as a desperation-driven choice, reflecting how poverty can push a child into dangerous circles. The drug ring, the undercover operation, and the resulting shootout illustrate the fragility of safety in a town on the edge. The consequence is a period of probation and a hard-earned maturation.

💔 Abandonment & Reconciliation

John Cross’s desertion and alcoholism create a fractured family dynamic that haunts Chris. The father’s failure to connect with Tracy accentuates the boy’s longing for a stable father figure. The space for reconciliation appears only as fragile hope amid a chaotic environment.

🌕 Moon Landing Metaphor

The Apollo Moon landing is invoked as a recurring metaphor for returning to Earth from turmoil. It mirrors Chris’s desire for a stable life and the astronauts’ return, suggesting that even in a screwed-up world, a grounded, ordinary life remains a possibility.