(#13) Mid90s (2018) - [7.75/10]

When his family can't make home feel like home, a skateboard enthusiast seeks to find a new one.

In 1990s Los Angeles, a 13-year-old spends his summer navigating between a troubled home life and a crew of new friends he meets at a skate shop.

How would I describe this film in one word?

Peer-pressure.

Note Peer pressure. That's what this movie is all about. And it does it well. The skateboarders turned actors did a good considering this being their debut appearance on the silver screen with no prior experience or training - it was all bolstered through passion. Amazing.

Review

This movie follows Stevie or 'Sunburn', the title he is given to him by his newfound peers, in this pre-social media age of the 90s where he tries to pass time and escape his abusive brother from his home by trying to find acceptance among the skateboard clique whom he admires. He seems out of place with the rest being short and young and virtuosos amongst them. But slowly and steadily, he gets sucked into the peer pressure and does things which falls under the acceptable territory of, as Reuben describes, 'cool'. It was funny and refreshing to see how to leader of the this 'cool' gang was actually the most nature of the lot. He probably might have done everything under the 'cool' category but unlike the others who have the 'don't care about life' attitude, he wants to make something of it and get out of the hood by passionately practicing skating and knows how to not constantly party and smoke and drink. This may seem deviate from the protagonist, but this 'cool' gang leader Ray, is the real hero of this story. An inspirational role model for the young Stevie to look up to and be influenced positively. And was surely the standout part of the movie. To be honest, I loved Ray's character so much - of how he denies to bow to peer pressure, keeps his friends and keeps his moral principles - that he rightfully claimed his spot in my all time favorite hero figure list.

RATING: 7.75/10

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Director: Jonah Hill Rated: R Runtime: 1 hr 25 min Genre: Comedy, Drama Starring: Sunny Suljic, Katherine Waterston, Lucas Hedges