Back when underground films truly were underground, Toby Ross was at the forefront of crafting impassioned and deeply personal tales of youth. Like his contemporaries, Arthur Bressan Jr. and J. Brian, Ross truly was doing something revolutionary in his art.

Cruisin' 57 is one of his lesser seen films but it perfectly captures the essence and innocence that existed in the 1970s, a time before AIDS, terrorism, and "gentrification" destroyed the United States and transposes these feelings to the late 1950s where the film's story takes place.

The period decoration, although minimal, embodies so much 1950s iconography that even when a 1970s car or sign manages to make its way into the frame, it doesn't detract from the magically innocent ambiance of the film.

The storyline is simple. It's about a young man trying to find someone to love and love him but looking in all the wrong places. The acting is spot on and the costuming is properly period. Ross makes ample and wonderful use of natural lighting which give certain scenes a more dreamy and fantasy look while giving others the proper shadows and depth necessary to be affective.

Clocking in at a brisk 69 minutes, Cruisin' 57 is the type of film which manages to not only embody the spirit of the time in which it takes place but also the time at which it was shot.

A rare treat for those who happen upon it.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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Cruisin' 57

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