Youth being naughty in the Noughties forms the backbone of multi-hyphenate talent Laura Jean Marsh’s hedonistic drama GIDDY STRATOSPHERES.
London, 2007. Good-time artist and life of the party, Lara (Marsh) loves a good time and a drink with more than a little help from best friend Daniel (Jamal Franklin) and as anyone who has lived and breathed the nightlife in London, things do get interesting on many a Friday and Saturday.
Parties and pub crawls galore beckon in a never-ending swirl of Lara’s favourite ‘breakfast vodka’ on a train back from the likes of the Ministry of Sound in Elephant and Castle, but the swirl has just got a little more misty-cum-mystifying for Lara and Daniel, who is curious to know what happened on one particular night before. Coupled with the fact that a family funeral is in the mix as well – and Lara is certainly going to need more than her fair share of Bloody Mary to clear the air…
Short (sixty-eight minutes) and slight – but honest youth drama, with Marsh holding and leading the cast line in vibrant form, with good support from Franklin as the effeminate best friend, as well as providing solid behind-the-camera backup in a variety of roles, including music supervisor. It certainly has its’ potential, capturing the essence of classic London club and pub life and – given the events of the past year – will provide an invigorating reminder of why the nightlife is essential to the backbone of London socialising.
A good soundtrack adds to the appeal and charm that has an attractive veneer and at its heart has a seriously-minded subtext that will sustain and invite those who are in great need, reminding everyone that it is OK to enjoy yourself within reason.
Marsh and her team behind GIDDY STRATOSPHERES have lots to be proud of with a true indie entry and I am sure that she has more to come in her repertoire.
GIDDY STRATOSPHERES IS AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL HD FROM 19TH JULY, 2021
