CrissCross

In 1969 Key West a boy on the cusp of adolescence watches the world change as the Apollo missions unfold and the island hums with heat and ambition. The film follows a twelve year old who steps into a harsher orbit when money gets tight at home and his mother works as a stripper to keep the family afloat. He begins selling cocaine as a way to cover bills and feed a fragile household, a choice that pulls him toward danger while trying to retain a sliver of childhood. The story tracks the pressure of poverty, loyalty to family, and the costs of growing up fast, without sensationalism.

Directed by Chris Menges, CrissCross (1992) is based on a story by Scott Sommer. The crime drama unfolds in late 1960s Key West, emphasizing intimate performances and a grounded, unsentimental look at a boy facing hard choices.

Box office data for CrissCross is not widely documented, suggesting a modest release. The film features David Arnott in the lead alongside Goldie Hawn, Arliss Howard and James Gammon, with a focus on mood and character over marquee sensation.

While CrissCross did not become a awards season standout, there is no record of major nominations tied to it. Some critics praised the performances, especially Arnott's portrayal of a boy pushed toward risky paths, and Menges's restrained direction and sunlit Florida visuals. The film is often noted for its stark, intimate approach to a painful subject rather than glittering accolades.

Critically CrissCross sits with a quiet, unflinching tone that foregrounds the moral weight of growing up in a city on the edge. It probes how poverty, loyalty, and love collide with illegal activity, asking whether survival justifies troubling choices. The setting of 1969 Key West adds a historical texture that sharpens the film's emotional stakes, making the boy's predicament feel both personal and part of a larger upheaval.