Review of Cemetery Junction (2010) by Alexander W — 16 Jul 2011

Imagine you are a fat boy without good looks but with a female vampire looking out of the window tattooed onto your chest. All you want is to get laid and you are not getting any. The year is 1974 and you are working at a train station called Cemetery Junction.

What's even worse, you've lived all your life at this god-forgotten place somewhere in the south of England. Patience, man! Imagine now you're a fat boy's best buddy and you work in a factory during day.

You drink, fight and hate the whole world during night. And you dream of getting away, away from the future that's is awaiting you - which is your father's present - a life in front of a telly, jobless and drunk.

Take a good look - that is Father you despise and that is your future. Cheers, mate! Expand your imagination a little bit further. You're now a third buddy, with same prospects of future, but with a different attitude.

You've traded blue collar for a suit and a tie. But inside, you're still the same working class kid like your lads. You're still smeared with factory oil. But you have a vision. To have your own house, a car, a lovely wife and smiling kids.

Good luck! Imagine now you're a third kid's new boss, the king of insurance. You're a selfish tyrant who managed to crawl out of the mud of Cemetery Junction to become what you're now - rich, feared and despised.

You're the one who will deliver an elaborate speech and give a cut-glass bowl to your retiring employee as a token of appreciation for his 40 year hard work at your company. Well done! Imagine now you're tyrant's daughter.

You have your father's copycat for a fiancée, high hopes and your mother drained out of joy as a mirror into your future. Say cheese! Flash! Flash! Now close your eyes for a moment and take a deep breath.

Feel the uneven texture of your sofa underneath your hands. Yes, you're you again, sitting in front of your telly. Open your eyes and let the show begin! Let this miserable lot unravel their life story in front of you.

Don't mind the stiffly dialogue at some point or that their life story is not that original after all. Concentrate instead on a) great ambiental music of a glam-rock era; b) brilliant performances of your marionettes; c) this bittersweet taste you'll have in your mouth for the whole one hour and half.

And later, too. Enjoy! Because there is a lot to enjoy.