Jonah Hill´s period piece, Mid90s, shows that he can be as good a writer and director as he is an actor. It follows the role of Stevie, a thirteen-year-old kid who would do anything to be seen as cool in the eyes of the skaters he admires.

What makes Mid90s such a good film is the sense of universality; being able to relate to the journey whether or not you have ever picked up a skateboard. No matter who you are, there is a character in Mid90s that you could relate to. Running at a mere 86 minutes, there may not be a lot that happens in Mid90s, but it perfectly captures a little slice of that era. Hill shows us Stevie’s journey into his teen years in a raw way when Stevie finally begins to hang out with skaters Ray, Ruben, Fourth Grade, and FS. We see him experience Dubliners-esque losses of innocence such as his first cigarette, first kiss, even (scandalously) his first ¨time in a car without someone’s parents.¨ Hill includes all of these experiences without censorship because they are true to what many have experienced.

Artistically, the film is gold. It embodies the feeling of documentary because of the 16mm, square videos taken by the aspiring filmmaker, Fourth Grade. The soundtrack is perfectly curated, including classics like Wave of Mutilation by the Pixies. It is a beautiful directorial debut from Hill.