Mid90s

Mid90s, brought to life by actor turned director Jonah Hill in 2018, is a decisive, heartfelt homage to the shapes, sounds, and spirit of mid-90s Los Angeles skate culture. This American coming-of-age drama-comedy film unpretentiously explores the turbulence of youthful self-discovery, the schism of family life, and the unity found within a chosen tribe.

The film follows the uncertified journey of 13-year-old Stevie, interpreted magnificently by Sunny Suljic. Stevie is a diminutive, quiet kid suffocating under the pressures of his broken household. His mother Dabney, played by Katherine Waterston, is a well-meaning, young single mother battling her own hardships. Stevie's relationship with his volatile older brother Ian, embodied powerfully by Lucas Hedges, is marred by awe and violence.

Stevie's life takes a turn upon stumbling upon a skate shop, where he becomes enamored with a ragtag group of skaters, who, with their carefree attitude and societal indifference, promise a sense of belonging that he never found at home. Much of the film involves Stevie's slow and painful assimilation into this wild bunch, demonstrating both the glamour and grit of skater culture and the lengths to which we go for acceptance.

Mid90s showcases several fascinating, complex characters. Ray, portrayed by Na-kel Smith, emerges as a sort of mentor figure for Stevie, balanced and grounded compared to the other members of the group. Stevie's idolization of Ray and his yearning for approval resonate with the universal experience of adolescence. Moreover, Olan Prenatt as Fuckshit, Gio Galicia as Ruben, and Ryder McLaughlin as Fourth Grade, add diverse mapping to the group dynamics.

The world depicted in Mid90s is beautifully raw, unfiltered, and often uncomfortably authentic. Jonah Hill, as director and screenwriter, uncovers a half-remembered cultural memory with remarkable intimacy, employing a deliberate and thoughtful approach. The grainy, 16mm film format adds shades of poignancy and nostalgia, converting this personal recollection into a tangible account.

Furthermore, Jonah Hill uses the skateboard as a metaphor. It signifies liberation, rebellion, and resistance against the adversities life has to offer. Even the most brutal falls, cuts, and scars that it brings form part of the unbounded freedom it offers. Skating becomes Stevie's escape mechanism from his harsh realities – a route that leads to a sense of identity, often at the cost of self-destruction.

The film's cinematography, helmed by Christopher Blauvelt, sets an atmospheric stage, applying a strikingly naturalistic approach. He masterfully captures the time capsule of mid-90s, preserving its aesthetic charm and presenting it through the desperate eyes of its teenage protagonist.

Mid90s brims with the aesthetic beat of its era. An eclectic soundtrack spanning from The Mamas & the Papas to Wu-Tang Clan, heavy baggy jeans, band t-shirts, and the grit of the sun-soaked streets of Los Angeles amplifying the film's identity. It illustrates the charm of the era authentically, allowing audiences to get immersed in the nostalgia of the mid90s.

The dynamics between characters in Mid90s are fraught with tension, embedded in raw, often uncomfortable confrontations and laconic dialogue that reveal a depth of understanding towards the human condition. Hill successfully uncovers the cruel realities of growing up prematurely while authentically representing adolescent friendships with their cross currents of loyalty, rivalry, and changing allegiances.

Mid90s utilizes humor carefully and compassionately, often as a vehicle to navigate the brutality of life. It does not shy away from depicting the darker corners of adolescence, exploring topics such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and toxic masculinity with unflinching honesty.

Above all, Mid90s is a narrative about trying to find one's place in the world – about the jagged path of self-identity, the pain of growing up, and the unity found among shared struggle. It is a collective solace – a chosen family brought together not by blood, but by the common language of skateboarding.

In conclusion, Mid90s is a nostalgic love letter to an era that grapples with themes of finding brotherhood, choosing families, and confronting the brutal reality of adolescence. Bolstered by eloquent performances, graceful storytelling, and vivid authenticity, the movie leaves an indelible mark, revealing much more than a retrospective glimpse at a specific cultural moment.