Jonah Hill star actor in numerous films ranging from “Superbad” to “Wolf on Wall Street,” has had great success in Hollywood. However did you know according to recent interview with Seth Meyers, Jonah has been dreaming up directing his own films for his whole life? This past October he took that leap of faith and produced a movie entitled, “Mid 90’s.”
Jonah Hill has been in the music industry for several years, but he has yet to direct his own movie until now. In an interview with Seth Meyers, he explains that he held the title of director in such high regard. Because of that, he wanted to make sure he was ready for that role; That role would be the most pivotal and equally difficult role, he has tackled in his 15 year career. Mid 90’s is very loosely an autobiographical film on Jonah’s life experiences growing up in Los Angeles. This film set out to depict a life where kids use sports to build friendships and essentially a home away from home. Along the way they tackle heavy topics like masculinity, homophobia, peer pressure, and the idea of trying at anything is uncool.
In my opinion, Jonah did a great job with this movie. The message, the character development, and character dynamics were all interesting. The relationships between Stevie and his older brother Ian was a complex one. Ian treated his younger brother harshly and was too cool for him. Once Stevie got his friends and found a place where he felt he belonged, he changed dramatically. Ian saw that he was going down the wrong path and did not know how to confront him about it. He resorted to beating his brother relentlessly, ultimately making Stevie attempt suicide due to all of the stress at home. That stress also came from not having a fatherly figure in his life, oftentimes shady men are running in and out of his house.
The relationship between Stevie and F*** S*** is another interesting one. ( Will be referred to as F.S from her on out.) As the movie progressed Ray notices his best friend F.S was going further and further down the wrong path. F.S became obsessed with alcohol and was constantly searching for parties to go to and pass out. Throughout the film he picked and choosed his battles with F.S. Either he did not think the battle was worth it, or he would passively watch his ideals take its course. As a whole the group was a reckless bunch, but there was a line that was not to be crossed. Often I found myself questioning if there was one at all, as from hindsight I identify all the kids were doing these things to be cool. From simply not saying thank you because you might seem gay, to sharing prescribed pills with a 13 year old endangering him.
Mid 90’s does an excellent job capturing the spirit of the 90’s. From the soundtrack, the sneakers, to the clothing. The various culture references made me feel cool watching as I heard Wu Tang, Tribe Called Quest, and pictured myself in the film with the rest of the characters. Jonah also makes a point of showing the teenage attitude towards aspirations during that time. Fourth Grade tells F.S his plans of being a director timidly and F.S leaves tread marks all over his dream and lack of confidence. Saying that his idea was stupid and that he thought he was somebody he was not. Additionally Ray was getting looked at by pro skaters a handful of times in the film and F.S became jealous. In the movie Ruben tells us F.S is equally as good as Ray, however later in the movie F.S reveals that he skates just to have fun not seriously. Then he proceeds to poke fun at Ray for trying to make a career out of it.
Jonah was really driving the point home that some cool kids per say in that era, thought trying was a corny thing to do. At the end of the movie I do feel like there were some loose strings left untied. Does Stevie still run with his crew? Does he see that he is trying to grow up too fast? Does Ray get picked up by any of the pro skaters? Did F.S mess up Ray’s chance with the bad encounter he had with the pro’s and Ray? Did Fourth Grade continue making videos, and did he give the film they showed at the end of the movie to any pros? Did F.S see the error in his ways and begin to learn his life around? Did Ian ever sit down and have a talk with his brother about the path he was taking out of love and with a clear mind? These are the strings that I think we're left not covered in the conclusion of the movie.
Overall I love the movie, I like the story, and I appreciate the nostalgia. Jonah did a great job showcasing the 90’s, skateboarders, and teens growing up and forming a sometime home away from home. I recommend this movie to 90s culture lovers, and skateboarders as well. I would like to get this movie, I love the 90s culture and I feel like this one the movies I will turn to when I need some nostalgia.