Permissive is a provocative and surreal British cult film that arrived in cinemas during the 1970s, an era that was redefining social conventions and norms. The director, Lindsay Shonteff, masterfully encapsulates the ebbs and flows of the decadent counterculture of the era into a cine-story. The film features an ensemble cast led by David Weston and Linda Marlowe who deliver compelling performances that will stay with you long after the movie ends.

The story is centred around Suzy, a naive young woman trying to carve a niche for herself in London. Played with a vulnerable fierceness by Maggie Stride, Suzy arrives in the bustling city pursuing an opportunity to reconnect with an old friend, Fiona (the captivatingly enigmatic Gay Singleton). Suzy unknowingly steps into Fiona's hedonistic and rapidly spiralling world, serving as the groupie to a rock band. Fiona plays a pivotal role in integrating Suzy into this chaotic world of sex, drugs, and rock-'n'-roll.

David Weston gives a standout performance as Lee, the enigmatic and somewhat destructive lead singer of the band, Forever More. Lee is portrayed as a stereotypical bad boy with charismatic allure, perfectly capturing the idealized rock star of the 1970s – dashing, talented, and inexplicably haunted. Weston skillfully plays this delicate balancing act, making Lee both enchanting and repulsive at the same time.

Linda Marlowe portrays the sultry Patti, who, along-with the other characters, helps shape the narrative arc of Suzy. A woman of the world, Patti is adaptable and unapologetic about her life choices. We see a compelling interplay between Patti and Suzy, as the latter navigates the startling aspects of her new existence.

As Suzy becomes more involved in the band's lives and indulges in their reckless behaviours, the audience steps into the world of 70s rock-n-roll culture that epitomized freedom and self-destruction in equal measures. This gritty rawness is captured brilliantly by the film's quasi-documentary style and cinematography.

Shonteff, known for his eccentric films that push the boundaries of cultural norms, offers a bold portrayal of the British music scene of that time, filled with hedonism, debauchery, and disillusionment. Additionally, he also examines the darker side of life as a groupie, exploring themes of exploitation, degradation, and the toll this life takes on Suzy's self-esteem and mental health. It's a stark contrast to the glamourous and carefree lifestyle often depicted in rock-n-roll movies.

The rock band aspect of the film is not in the backdrop but integral to the narrative. The real-life band Forever More plays their own roles, thereby adding an aura of authenticity to the drama. Their music, though often providing the pulsating and electrifying soundtrack for the film, is more than just a background score. The songs often serve to reflect the characters' mood swings and progression of the plot. The film gets further musical heft from Comus, an English progressive folk band that contributes one of its own tracks to the movie.

Furthermore, Permissive succeeds in using its stylistic devices to emote evocatively. The film's disjointed narrative style, integrating scenes of graphic realism and dreamy montages, effectively conveys the disorientation experienced by Suzy while simultaneously reflecting the chaotic, non-linear narrative of the 70’s counterculture itself.

The film's stark lighting and clever camera angles manage to capture both the dilapidated living spaces of the rock band and the sporadic glamorous concert scenes, effectively picturing the contrast between their public and private lives.

In short, Permissive is a riveting exploration of a fading counterculture that marked a significant era in British history. Its mature and unvarnished representation of groupie culture, framed in the backdrop of the music scene, offers a gripping watch. The film presents a profound commentary on the volatile meeting point of naive ambition and abrasive reality, making it a cult classic worth adding to your must-watch list.