Giddy Stratospheres

I loved this film. The 00's music scene was a great time for DIY bands and club nights. This film captures that familiar sense of adventure and despair, all often rolled into one nights escapades. The music too is one step removed from the mainstream idea of who was really making waves. Post-punk ideals were resurrected, people"formed a band" just because they could. However, drugs also played a part too, and sometimes, they ruined futures. Really though, the film is about friendship, that one person who's always there for you, sometimes the one you take for granted. Some of the supporting cast are there for light relief, whilst others paint a grim picture of what drugs can do to your sense of reality. Don't read the bad reviews on here, left by internet plankton who never got it it together enough to even write a song, let alone make a film. Now they just lurk on social media like they did in chatrooms in the 00s. Sad. It's a portrait, a snapshot in time, about an era still relatively unexplored by film makers because its too recent. Also, the cinematography is crazy good.

Stunning film capturing the highs & lows of a movement I would've dreamed to be a part of, the music is impeccable and a touching story. All the characters are so vibrant and the flashbacks that take place help tell the story so well.

I'm Sold!

I ABSOLUTELY loved this film. I found out about it from a guardian article.

I think it really captures the 00's well and has moments of real beauty. It's also pretty hilarious too (I watched it with a group of friends and we were all cracking up)

I also thought the writing was engrossing. Laura's clearly a very talented creative. Her dialogue is witty, heartfelt and embedded in truth.

In just over an hour this film manages to truly encapsulate the indie scene with all its pros and cons.

It takes courage to write, act and direct a film like this. Especially when you consider that it was made in the midst of a pandemic.

I would suggest you watch it on the biggest screen possible, as it has some lovely cinematography.

Flashback to 2006 with a killer soundtrack. Great watch, beautifully shot. Would definately recommend.

For anyone who was around in those heady 00's days, Giddy Stratospheres is a poignant reminder of the eternal 'striving for something better' that many must have felt at the time.

For a first time writer / actor, who also directed and produced this semi-autobiographical story (during lock down!!), Laura has made a solid effort at capturing the 00's music scene despite working with a shoe string budget.

There were many funny moments throughout though the humour is balanced precariously against the sadder sub-text of the story.

For me, certain scenes went on too long and I wondered whether this was done in order to ensure its running time though maybe Laura was just trying to immerse us in fleeting moments and draw us further into that halcyon world.

There are a few strong performances such as Jamal Franklin who's supporting lead gave many nice moments as he veered between overgrown teenager and sensible shoulder for Laura's character to lean on.

A twist in the tale really took me by surprise and was really touching though of course I wont write any plot spoilers here!

Giddy Stratospheres left me wishing the 00's had never ended and is a lovely debut with a lot of heart though it will be interesting to see what Laura does next. I'm sure it will be great.