Respond to these rapid questions in our Mid90s quiz and we will tell you which Mid90s character you are. Play it now.
In “Mid90s,” Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, one glance at Ian’s bedroom immediately transports you to a different era. You don’t even need to know what year it is to know where you’re at. The shelves are stacked with CDs that have been meticulously organized. On the nightstand, there are a few magazines from which to draw inspiration. A poster for the Wu-Tang Clan hangs on the wall, and a pair of immaculate Air Jordans can be found in the closet. These items are the remains of a time that is not too distant in the past, but distant enough that they represent an archeological dig into the world just before the Internet connected us all, for better or worse. This is especially true given Ian’s ferocious protection of his room, which is played by Lucas Hedges, who is proving to be an extremely versatile young actor in the process of maturing. Stevie, a middle-schooler, is the central character of the story, and Ian is his older brother (Sunny Suljic). Stevie, who is physically abused by his brother on a daily basis and who is raised by a mother (Katherine Waterston) who is too preoccupied with her own life to notice what is going on in her own home, finds himself in the company of a group of older kids whose lives revolve around skating. Mid90s’s strength lies in its small observations of a very tight subculture, as well as what that subculture provided to its most devoted adherents, which is what makes the film so compelling.
In the beginning of the film, Ian is seen beating Stevie. We’re baffled as to why. It is repeated in various forms throughout the film, lending the fights between the brothers an almost rite-like quality. Ian, disguised as former President Bill Clinton, ambushes Stevie, chasing him through the house and punching and pummeling him to death. Stevie doesn’t have any doubts about it. Ian is almost completely non-verbal. Mom is completely oblivious to the fact that something is “off” in her sons’ relationship. Stevie happens to catch a glimpse of a group of four rowdy kids, all of whom are riding skateboards and sassing back at a storeowner. Something about the boys draws him in, and he wanders into their group in an attempt to become more acquainted with them. These boys, who are in their late teens and around Ian’s age, are gathered in a ramshackle storefront skateboard shop, chatting and laughing. Despite the fact that their dynamic is a closed system, they accept Stevie’s presence and allow him to hang out with them. Stevie doesn’t know how to skate, so he practices in his driveway at home, falling over and over again, learning as he goes. The older boys are dexterous on their skateboards, flying up stairwells and careening along railings while devising new tricks to demonstrate their own abilities and bravery.
Ray (Na-kel Smith), the group’s leader, is the only one who does not have a nickname, and he appears to be more mature than the other members. He has aspirations of “going pro” in skateboarding, which became a realistic possibility in the mid-’90s when the sport began to gain popularity. In the film, Ray’s best friend, Fuckshit (Olan Prenatt), has long blonde Twisted Sister curls and is known as “Fuuuck. Shit” because he prefaces every comment with the drawling, “Fuuuck. Shit.” With the help of a small camcorder, they document their skateboarding exploits. Fourth Grade (Ryder McLaughlin) is so named because that is approximately his level of intelligence. Also present is Ruben (Gio Galicia), the insecure younger brother of Stevie, who takes Stevie under his wing, giving him bad advice (“Don’t thank people because they will think you are gay”) and rolling his eyes whenever Stevie makes a social faux pas. Fear of being labeled as “gay”—or of being perceived as gay—even by virtue of something as simple as good manners—is unavoidable. The unquestionably ruinous rules of “manhood” have already taken hold of these young men. Only a handful of adults are present in the film. Women are virtually non-existent in both the larger world and the skateboarding world, with the exception of Stevie’s mother and one girl Stevie meets at a party. The wonderful “Skate Kitchen,” which aired earlier this year, highlighted the role of women in the skateboarding scene, providing a welcome and necessary counterpoint.
But you shouldn’t waste any more time and start this Mid90s quiz.
Since the majority of these kids have little to no film or television credits to their names, Suljic stands out as the group’s seasoned veteran. However, it is their dynamic — free-wheeling discussions, ribbing each other, and talking things out — that truly elevates the film, transporting us completely into the skateboarding world as experienced by this particular group of people. They seem to have known each other since kindergarten, if not longer. Hill has always used improvisation in his own work as an actor, and he believes that the actors in this production will benefit from the process. Everyone refrains from “putting on a show” in the self-conscious sense of the word. Hill leaves them alone, allowing them to be themselves onscreen and not attempting to create too much conflict. Ray’s dedication to skateboarding begins to drive a wedge between him and Fuckshit, who is more laid-back in his approach. We are witnessing them at a crucial juncture before they all part ways. For all his insecurities and fears of not appearing “cool,” Ruben is central to the film’s apparent subtext in one sense. He is both young and old at the same time because of his life experiences, insecure and terrified of not appearing “cool,” and embarrassed by Stevie’s openness. Yes, the boys are teenagers, but this is the time of life when things begin to go wrong for people, when they begin to build protective armor that they will not be able to shed in the future. Ruben is shackled by society’s perceptions of manhood, and he is completely unaware of it. Ray is unaffected by the same attitudes as the others. In addition, the script is overly repetitive: there are far too many Stevie pep talks, for example, leading you to wonder if Ray has nothing better to do with his time other than talk this kid through his issues.
Mid90s Quiz
What is left out of a story is just as important as what is included in it, and vice versa, sometimes. Hill refrains from providing explanations (what the hell is going on with Ian? ), and he does not psychoanalyze the situation. Clearly, a large number of these children come from difficult backgrounds. One is practically without a home. It’s also not clear why they put up with Stevie accompanying them on their journey. He can’t skate, he can be a nuisance because everyone has to watch out for him, and he can injure himself quite badly because of his high pain tolerance (which he has developed thanks to his brother’s training). However, Hill’s refusal to provide simple explanations is one of the reasons why the film works when it does.
Also, you will find out which character are you in this Mid90s quiz.
When the boys are weaving on their boards down a busy median strip, they look like graceful pilot fish against a backdrop of a pink sunset, and it is breathtaking. Aside from that, the film has a straightforward, almost low-definition aesthetic. Along with a score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the soundtrack is populated by hits from the mid-’90s, a vibrant period in music during which the Top 40 rules were broken, ushering in new voices and energies, as well as new voices and energies. A light, almost gentle touch is used in Hill’s handling of the material. He makes no attempt to establish universal relevance (despite the title), and he makes no attempt to achieve catharsis. Stevie will undoubtedly move on from this scene and from these people in the future. He’s only here as a visitor, not as a resident. Hill wisely avoids some of the cliches inherent in the material (Stevie does not suddenly become a world-class skateboarder, gain self-confidence, or gain the respect of his peers, girls, or mother), the film’s rough edges make it feel like a first draft at times.
For more personality quizzes check this: Sanju Quiz.
