Criss Cross

In 1969, Tracy Cross and her 12-year-old son Christopher live in the laid-back chaos of Key West. The story is narrated by Chris, who sees life as a series of rough edges and imperfect choices. Their world is intimate, fraying at the edges of financial and emotional strain.

Tracy works hard as a bartender and waitress to support them while keeping chaos at bay. Chris helps with paper routes and delivering fish to help make ends meet. Their daily routine highlights the fragile balance of warmth and hardship that defines their everyday life.

The father figure is an Annapolis-trained fighter pilot who served in Vietnam and carries a heavy, troubled history. He becomes deeply disturbed after a catastrophic act in the war and burns his uniform as a stark symbol of his transformation. His drinking and turmoil begin to erode the family’s stability, foreshadowing distance to come.

His descent into alcoholism leads him to desert the family, retreating into a commune and choosing distance over reconciliation. Chris longs for a father who is present, a longing that never fully fades. The bond between father and son remains powerful even as the father drifts away.

As Chris grows more aware of his crumbling world, he stumbles upon drugs hidden inside the very fish he delivers. The discovery nudges him toward dabbling in drug dealing out of sheer desperation. This dangerous thread pulls him deeper into the drug world that threatens Tracy’s effort to protect them.

Tracy takes a job she is deeply ashamed of — working as a stripper — to support them. Her blunt explanation that sometimes one must do what is not good to get what is good adds moral tension to the family dynamic. Chris wrestles with the gray areas of adulthood as he watches his mother struggle.

A stranger named Joe enters town, irresistibly charming yet shrouded in mystery. He develops a complicated relationship with Tracy while hiding a double life as an undercover agent. His presence unsettles Chris and foreshadows the drug arrest looming over them.

Joe is tasked with bringing down the local drug operation that has started to pull Chris and Tracy into its orbit. The relationship among Chris, Tracy, and Joe deepens the tension as investigators close in. The stakes rise as loyalties are tested and fear grows.

The night escalates as Chris must deliver drugs, and a deadly gunfight erupts. The danger is immediate and forces Chris to confront loyalty, courage, and consequences. He narrowly escapes, setting the stage for legal trouble and a harsher reality.

Chris ends up in jail, facing probation after the chaotic night. Tracy and Chris reassess their lives as they seek a more modest existence. The experience triggers Tracy’s decision to retire from stripping and pursue a quieter future for their family.

The family moves to a modest mobile home park, signaling a hard-won attempt to rebuild normalcy. The move tests their resilience and willingness to adapt to a simpler life. It marks a cautious step toward stability after years of turmoil.

Tracy makes the conscious choice to retire from her stripping work, signaling a renewed focus on home and family. This decision embodies the film’s theme that growth can emerge from painful compromises. The mother-son bond endures as they navigate their new life.

Throughout the film, the Apollo Moon landing serves as a recurring metaphor for humanity reaching toward hope beyond danger. It helps Chris frame his chaotic life as survivable and meaningful. The ending emphasizes returning home—grounded and intact after a turbulent journey.

The final moments stress that small acts of resilience and love can steer a life toward something more hopeful. Chris reflects on his journey, recognizing the imperfect circumstances but appreciating the possibility of a fresh start. The film closes with a quiet, fragile optimism about the future.