Despite Jonah Hill’s directorial debut having its initial theatrical release in September 2018, it didn’t skate over to UK cinemas for a limited run until this April. Thankfully, we’re now able to add Mid90s to our DVD and Blu-Ray collections as of this week so we thought now would be the perfect time to look back at Hill’s first nostalgic coming-of-age venture behind the camera.
In numerous interviews that took place during the promotional build-up to Mid90s, Jonah Hill recounts how from a young age he always wanted to be a filmmaker and refers to his acting career as a remarkable film school. He has worked alongside and learnt from a number of his heroes over the years, including Martin Scorsese on 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street, which he describes as “until making Mid90s, it was the formative experience of my life.” The biggest takeaway from all of this was to create a film that truly meant something to him and the result that followed was Mid90s.
The film chronicles a summer in the life of 13-year-old Stevie (Sunny Suljic) who struggles in a single parent household with mum, Dabney (Katherine Waterston), and abusive older brother, Ian (Lucas Hedges). Despite the seemingly constant torture he endures, it’s clear that Stevie still admires his brother, as he’s pictured fawning over an avid CD collection and a sweet pair of Jordans, all while wearing a Street Fighter II shirt that make up Mid90s opening minutes. This burst of nostalgia, coupled with the fact that the entire movie was shot on 16mm film with a 4:3 aspect ratio, gives it a wonderfully authentic feeling. It truly looks like it could indeed have been shot in 1996 and kept hidden away for the last twenty years.
One day Stevie musters the nerve to enter local skate shop where he meets a band of older skateboarders: Ray (Na-Kel Smith), ‘FuckShit’ (Olan Prenatt), ‘Fourth Grade’ (Ryder Mclaughlin), and Ruben (Gio Galicia.) After trading Ian for an old board, he soon takes up skating and joins the gang where he’s welcomed and noted for his fearlessness and is promptly deemed ‘Sunburn.’
The groups chemistry is one of the films most enticing elements and Hill choosing to predominantly cast skateboarders over professional actors only adds to the authenticity. Although the entire cast shine, it’s Na-Kel Smith and Suljic’s performances that particularly standout. Smith’s debut acting role is stunning as Ray, who is not only the leader of the group but a strong moral compass and truly the heart and soul of the piece. Sunny Suljic successfully carries the weight off Mid90s on his shoulders, delivering a brilliant portrayal of a teenage boy who’s finding his feet and yearning to belong. Stevie’s sanctuary within skating and his older friends is heartwarming while the turbulence of his relationship with Ian and home life is heart-wrenching.
There’s plenty of comedy throughout the film (one highlight being a standoff between the boys and a local security officer when they’re discovered skating on private property), however, it’s the emotional weight of Mid90s that really hits hard. Whether it’s happiness at seeing Stevie’s triumphant reaction to landing an ollie for the first time, or the manner in which he handles emotional frustrations, both highs and lows will stir a powerful response from viewers.
In just 84 minutes, Jonah Hill has managed to capture all the angst and loneliness of growing up and the importance within finding a community outside of your home. Growing up skateboarding himself in Los Angeles, his directorial debut acts as a love letter to both nineties skating and hip-hop culture. It’s hard to break down all the intricate nuances that make this film so special without delving into spoiler territory but it’s truly a unique piece of art that’s sure to resonate with audiences for decades to come.
Mid90s will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray from August 26th.
