Cruising Electric 1980

Cruising Electric 1980 is an enthralling short comedy-drama film directed and written by Brumby Boylston. Debuting in 2014, this five-minute short film displays Boylston's ability to encapsulate a captivating narrative into such a small window of time.

The story thrusts audiences back into 1980's subculture, painting a vivid picture of nostalgia and innocence through its main focus – a fictitious TV commercial for a children's toy - a playset called "Cruising Electric." The playset is supposedly based on the 1980 film "Cruising", a controversial film featuring Al Pacino investigating a series of murders in New York City's gay S&M subculture.

While this may seem quite a strange premise for a comedic short, Brumby Boylston succeeds brilliantly in bringing out the irony of what it would mean to find a playset based on such adult content in your average toy store. The director’s intention of commenting on how mainstream culture navigates representations of LGBT identity and history can be appreciated in the film.

As a mid-century marketing pastiche, the film is a hilariously absurd and smartly provocative piece. Drawing on 1980's media aesthetics to present this fictitious playset and its unlikely themed subject, Cruising Electric 1980 takes on the form and tone of a vintage TV commercial, complete with upbeat narration, jovial background music, and screams of delight from overexcited children. The narrative cubbyholes into slices of animation which mimic the stop-motion technique of the period, enhancing its nostalgic representation.

A portion of the film's brilliance emerges from the perfect juxtaposition between the gritty, adult-themed subject matter and how it is reimagined within such a sunny, innocent setting of child’s play. The characters are paramount to the charm of this film. They are all happy, smiling, and joyous kids doing what kids do best - playing with their favorite toys oblivious to the real-world themes these toys represent. It’s a juxtaposition that creates a surreal, captivating dialog about how products, especially children’s toys, are marketed and the often-unseen implications and influences they contain.

Cruising Electric 1980 does not merely rely on its comedic premise to charm audiences. It subtly addresses societal attitudes towards the adult themes it presents, indirectly posing several questions about the cultural assimilation process. The film uniquely comments on how provocative subjects are comfortably and absurdly being wrapped in a 'children-friendly' package, thus poking fun of the marketing tactics of the era.

Depicting a pure form of innocent satire, this comedy short is a peerless piece of entertainment, considering that it takes its imagery from a very debatable and provocative source. While the film may not provide any definite conclusion or moral lesson, it invites the audience to look beyond the surface and question the popular culture paradox.

To add a finishing touch, the cast of Cruising Electric 1980 includes the voices of Daniel Amerman and Curtis James, lending authenticity to the 1980s commercial vibe. There's also an unmistakable dedication to vintage detailing manifesting in the film's design and visuals, making it a fond nod to the bygone era of television commercials and children’s toy culture.

Cruising Electric 1980 is a great watch for those seeking an intriguing and humorous piece of commentary on modern society and past culture's commercialization. It may be a short film, but its highly impactful delivery accompanied by its clever use of parody and satire will leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll.

To sum it up, Cruising Electric 1980 is an unexpected comedic gem, uniquely threading the line between nostalgic innocence and societal awareness. Its combination of vintage aesthetics, a superb voice cast, and tactful humor makes it one of those excellent must-see short films. That said, prepare yourself for a trip down the memory lane, as this film brings back the reminiscence of the TV commercials from yesteryears with an insightful and quirky twist.