Life After the Navigator

Life After The Navigator is an engaging and thought-provoking documentary from 2020 that promises a compelling journey back to the 1980s, highlighting the life and career of Joey Cramer, a child star who brought to life the character of David Freeman in the 1986 sci-fi hit film, "Flight of the Navigator."

The documentary dives deep into Cramer’s meteoric rise to fame following the worldwide success of "Flight of the Navigator" and then charts his subsequent fall from grace due to personal and legal troubles, and finally his redemptive quest to establish a successful life in the present time.

Directed by Lisa Downs and produced by Ashley Pugh, "Life After the Navigator" is not only a reminiscence of Cramer's starring role in the beloved '80s film, but also an insightful exploration of the actor’s life away from the camera. Other noteworthy actors featured in the documentary include Veronica Cartwright, who played in the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and Cliff De Young, a familiar face from numerous films and TV series such as "Flight of the Navigator" and "Secret Admirer."

The documentary expands the narrative landscape by incorporating interviews with cast members, directors, and others who worked with Cramer during his acting career. Archival footage and photographs are also used to shed light on his early life, career, trials, and the journey towards his current situation.

The film effectively illustrates Cramer's charm and talent that won him a legion of fans in the 1980s, and then delves into the darker aspects of his life, showing how his promising career was derailed by substance misuse, personal troubles, and a brush with the law and revealing his struggle with the pressures of fame at a young age. Amidst the trials and tribulations, it underscores humanity’s strength and resilience in the face of adversities and features Cramer's unceasing quest for redemption.

"Life After the Navigator" offers an empathetic portrayal of childhood stardom and the toll it can take on personal life. It brings home the fact that fame, especially childhood fame, can be as much of a curse as it can be a blessing. In its exploration of the less glamorous side of Hollywood stardom, the documentary underscores the pitfalls of early fame and the perils of going from being universally adored one moment to being totally forgotten the next.

The film also transports viewers back to the 1980s, a golden era of director Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and magical sci-fi films. It evokes nostalgia with the beloved "Flight of the Navigator" film and the actor who played such a vital role in it. Viewers get a glimpse of how this timeless classic was made, and they are made privy to the film's behind-the-scenes stories and trivia, making it a must-watch for fans.

The interviews featured in the documentary provide a deeper understanding of the actor and human being that is Cramer. Learning about his journey, viewers will appreciate the surprisingly endearing protagonist, and they might even discover a newfound fondness for the actor.

Despite the film's inherent drama and intensity, it insists on remaining an uplifting portrayal of an individual striving to regain control of their life amid long stretches of adversity, striving to convey a sense of hope through it all.

Overall, "Life After the Navigator" gives an intricately detailed nostalgia-tinged account of the life of the beloved actor Joey Cramer, offering a poignant and profound look into the complex interplay between fame and life, all while celebrating the enduring charm of a classic film. It brings to the forefront the cyclical narrative of a star's rise, fall, and renewal, making it a compelling watch.