Director: Jonah Hill
Starring: Sunny Suljic, Lucas Hedges, Katherine Waterston
Running Time: 85 minutes
Synopsis: The setting is a non-descript Los Angeles neighbourhood in the mid-1990s. 13 year-old Stevie (Sunny Suljic) lives with his abusive older brother Ian (Lucas Hedges) and their young single mother (Katherine Waterston). At the local skateboarding shop, he meets a group of older teenagers: Ray hopes to be become a pro skateboarder; his best friend Fuckshit is more interested in partying; Fourth Grade says little and is attached to his digital video camera; while Ruben is closest to Stevie's age and the first to welcome him into the group. As he spends more time with his new friends, Stevie is exposed to the joys and hazards of early adulthood.
What Works Well: Jonah Hill's directorial debut is an edgy look back at a sun-drenched and unglamorous corner of Los Angeles, where kids without a functional home create their own within the burgeoning skateboard culture. Hill draws outstanding natural performances from a young cast, led by Sunny Suljic as a young teen receiving a crash course in peer pressure, independence, acceptance, group dynamics, challenging authority, and girls. Anguish and humour mix into moments of magic as unkempt foul-mouthed street kids are transformed into genuine people worth caring for, carrying their own version of hopes and dreams.
What Does Not Work As Well: The "leave them wanting more ethos" is marginally overplayed: Stevie and his friends are hitting their stride when the credits roll.
Conclusion: Friends as alternative family.
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