Mid90s

4/22/19

4/22/19

Last night I was watching a movie, mid90s, that was recently written and directed by Jonah Hill. The movie takes place in East Oakland, California during the mid 90s, and focuses on a group of four skaters and a little boy that looks up to them and eventually becomes a part of their close-knit group. Every member of the group goes through struggles that many go through today: abusive family, drug addiction, poverty, and loss of family members. Yet, all the boys come together to skate and use it as an escape from whatever they are going through. The main character, nicknamed “sunburn,” is the youngest character, looking for a getaway from his violent brother and immature mother. While on a bike ride through his neighborhood, he sees a group of boys skating a store and smiles while he watches them. Later that night, he spends hours teaching himself to skate, falling, and getting back up every time. He clearly is determined and it later pays off. Sunburn learns a lot from his new friends, but they also get him into trouble with drugs and alcohol. One night he even gets so drunk he attempts suicide after a fight with his brother. Through all the ups and downs the group faces, they continue to support each other and help one another. As I was watching the movie, I admired their friendship and saw it as an ideal.

I also was interested in why Jonah Hill decided to make a movie based on the mid90s, a time about 25 years ago. It’s pretty clear to see their is a trend recently, dressing from the 90s. It has become so common that I see so many of the kids at CKM wearing baggy jeans, shirts, old popular brands, and big sneakers. I think this movie clearly portrayed a lifestyle many of us now admire and would want to live in. Being with your friends all day, not stressed about school, and dressing however you want without the fear of being shamed sounds much better than our lives now. Today, many teenagers spend hours a day on homework, are constantly on their phones, and are constantly worried about what others think of them. I think lately we have become too materialistic. We all are greedy for money money just so we can buy the nicest clothes, shoes, jewelry, healthiest foods so we can get nice bodies, the expensive gym memberships, the nicest cars, etc. Mid90s disproved this idea of needing money. The characters were some of the poorest in Oakland, but they made the best memories with each other, which is what really should matter. I strive to live a lifestyle like theirs, but I still feel society’s pressure to fit in. Ultimately, I think Mid90s is a honorable movie, and a good reminder to be less materialistic and have fun with the people you love.