Cemetery Junction Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three lads in 70s England try to escape their boring town, but only one actually does, and he gets the girl, because insurance sales and photography are a match made in heaven.

🍿 Cemetery Junction: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Cemetery Junction

The film is set in 1973 in the working-class suburb of Cemetery Junction, Reading, England. It revolves around three young friends: Freddie, Bruce, and Snork. They spend their days joking, drinking, fighting, and chasing girls, typical of young men coming of age in a stagnant town.

Freddie’s Ambitions

Freddie yearns for a life beyond Cemetery Junction, taking a job selling life insurance, aspiring to a life of suits, cars and a different status. This ambition sets him apart from his friends. The job leads him to reconnect with Julie, a childhood friend and the daughter of his boss, who is engaged to Mike, the firm’s top salesman.

Bruce and Snork’s Paths

Bruce, the rebellious one, talks about leaving but seems destined to work in a factory, mirroring his father’s life. He frequently finds himself in trouble with the police. Snork works at the railway station, longing for a girlfriend. Their lives are intertwined with Freddie’s choices as they all navigate their futures.

The Winner’s Ball and Freddie’s Disillusionment

Freddie takes his friends to the company’s annual ‘Winner’s Ball’. It is here that he begins to understand the hollow nature of the life he thought he wanted. After witnessing Mr. Kendrick’s callousness and Mike’s possessiveness, Freddie’s disillusionment deepens.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Freddie Taylor (Christian Cooke): A young man from Cemetery Junction who aspires to a better life and takes a job selling insurance.
• Julie (Felicity Jones): Mr. Kendrick’s daughter who dreams of traveling the world and becomes romantically involved with Freddie.
• Bruce Pearson (Tom Hughes): Freddie’s rebellious best friend who struggles with his family life and limited prospects.
• Snork (Jack Doolan): Freddie and Bruce’s lovable, goofy friend who works at the train station and longs for a relationship.
• Mr. Kendrick (Ralph Fiennes): Freddie’s boss and Julie’s father, a stern and controlling man who embodies the established order.
• Mrs. Kendrick (Emily Watson): Julie’s mother, who is in a loveless marriage and encourages her daughter to follow her dreams.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bruce Pearson: “Freddie, stop listening to music made by poofs. Stick on some Elton John.” – Bruce makes this comment, reflecting the attitudes of the time.
• Freddie Taylor: “So at your funeral, what are they going to say? He supported Reading FC and liked pickled onions?” – Freddie questions his friends about the direction their lives are taking.
• Mr. Kendrick: “You see, Taylor, the world is divided into givers and takers. The takers eat better, but the givers sleep better.” – Mr. Kendrick shares his cynical philosophy on success and morality with Freddie.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12.5M
• Domestic Gross: $0.09M
• Worldwide Gross: $2.33M

💥 Cemetery Junction Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed Cemetery Junction. It reminded me of growing up in a small town and wanting more. The characters are relatable, especially Snork. I loved the music, and the ending made me feel hopeful. Christian Cooke’s performance was amazing and the last scene with Felicity Jones where she chooses to leave with him was pretty cool.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s previous work (The Office, Extras)”
  • “Viewers who enjoy British coming-of-age stories”
  • “Those interested in films set in the 1970s”
  • “Audiences who appreciate dramedies with themes of social mobility and personal fulfillment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief scenes of violence (bar fights)”
  • “Thematic elements related to social class and aspirations”
  • “Some outdated attitudes on race which can be upsetting.”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Amiable and well-meaning, but lacks the sharp comedic edge of Gervais and Merchant’s best work. The performances are solid, and the 70s setting is lovingly rendered, but the film ultimately feels a bit too safe and predictable.
• The Guardian: “Gervais and Merchant’s second film outing is a sentimental and ultimately disappointing affair. While the performances are decent, the script is formulaic and the humour falls flat. The film tries to balance comedy and drama, but fails to deliver on either front.
• Film Stories: “Great film about small-town dreams. The music and the cast are great and the story takes you though the motions and explores human journey through expressing hope and respect for the values in life while also touching on negative aspects of sheltered 70s life.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers enjoyed the film’s nostalgic portrayal of 1970s Britain and the relatable characters.: Most people agreed the soundtrack was excellent and enhanced the movie’s atmosphere.

The film’s balance of comedy and drama, while not always perfect, resonated with some viewers.: Others appreciated the movie’s subtle humor and heartfelt moments, saying it made them feel good without being overly sentimental.

Overall Consensus: A coming-of-age story set in 1970s England, it has a good mix of nostalgic moments and the importance of following your dreams.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “A lot of the banter between Ricky Gervais and Anne Reid (playing Gervais’s character’s mother) was improvised, adding to the film’s natural and humorous feel.”
• “The film is set in 1973, but some of the trains used in the film feature liveries from the 1960s, a minor historical inaccuracy that some rail enthusiasts have noticed.”
• “Karl Pilkington, known for his collaborations with Gervais and Merchant, has an uncredited cameo in the film. The script and characters were partly based on Karl’s childhood memories.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cemetery Junction?

Cemetery Junction is available for rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, where you can either rent or buy the movie. Check your local listings for availability on other streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cemetery Junction, you might like these similar films:

• The Full Monty (1997): Features working-class characters finding unexpected paths to self-respect and a better life.
• Billy Elliot (2000): A young boy from a working-class family struggles against the odds to pursue his passion, similar to Freddie’s desire to escape his predetermined path.
• East is East (1999): Explores the clash between traditional values and the aspirations of younger generations in a British working-class family.
• Pride (2014): Based on a true story, it shows an unlikely alliance between striking miners and LGBT activists in 1980s Britain, highlighting themes of solidarity and social change.

🛒 Cemetery Junction Related Products

• Cemetery Junction [Blu-ray]: The Blu-ray version offers enhanced picture and sound quality, bringing the 1970s setting to life. This edition includes behind-the-scenes footage and director commentary.
• 1970s Fashion Men’s Style Guide: Get fashion inspiration from the film and learn about the iconic styles of the era. Contains a detailed guide to recreating the looks from the film.
• Retro 70s Jukebox: Features a built-in Bluetooth receiver, letting you stream music from your favorite apps or connect to a traditional record player. Perfect for creating an immersive 70s-themed experience.
• Life Insurance Sales Training: Become the top seller like Mike. Contains a detailed guide to selling insurance and becoming the boss’s son-in-law.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cemetery Junction features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “All the Young Dudes” – performed by Mott the Hoople
• “Crazy Horses” – performed by The Osmonds
• “Alright Now” – performed by Free

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

खून ही खून।।Blood pool..#labfun #chemistryfun

54 million views can’t be wrong! Though the title is a little cryptic, it must be a fun experiment that adds value to the movie. If you’re a fan of gore, check this out!

Khan sir se Saadi karenge hum latest news Khan sir patna short video Whatsapp ##latest #trending

4 million views is no joke. This video’s about Khan Sir, a really famous Indian teacher. Bet you didn’t expect to see an Indian teacher’s news, right? It’s an interesting tangent that’s worth a watch!

Top 5 teachers of physics wallah 😎🔥 | #shorts #physicswallah

Want to know the Top 5 teachers of Physics Wallah? Check this one! If you liked Physics Wallah or are interested in educational content, you’ll definitely want to check out this video.

✨ Rate