The following is an edition of Panther Picture Spotlight, The Mirror’s movie column. All views, thoughts and opinions belong solely to the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Drury Mirror. 

Remember Jonah Hill? The funny, fat guy in all those Judd Apatow movies? You’re never gonna believe this: but he is skinny now! Also, he now directs movies. “Mid90s” is not Hill’s first writing credit, but it is his directorial debut.

And for a freshman effort, it is a fairly strong one. He clearly knows what he is doing behind the camera. Even the aspect ratio is specifically chosen to evoke the time period. How often do you think about aspect ratios in movies?

The characters hold the movie together. Each one feels real and grounded. Chances are that you know someone like one of the main boys, or you will identify yourself in one or more of them. They each have a unique voice and are portrayed well by some talented child actors.

The editing is nice as well. Obviously, editing is not something you generally think about in the theater. Most non-Edgar Wright films try to keep the editing hidden.

There is a moment, though, towards the ending in which the way the scene is edited makes it one of the scariest moments in any movie from this year. Saying anything more will give it away, but you will know exactly which moment it is if you watch the film.

Considering the film apart from the context of a first-time director, however, it suffers from many of the ruts “slice of life” movies tend to fall into. There is not much story going on.  This is fairly standard for the genre, but in a similarly standard way “Mid90s” occasionally feels like watching random events instead of a natural progression.  Most of the time there is a fairly clear through line, but not for the whole runtime.

Moreover, apart from the jokes, which are funny, much of the film is forgettable. Even the domestic violence does not leave too much of an impact. It is difficult finding much to write about, frankly. The film just does not stick with the viewer like other A24 films, like Lady Bird and Lobster, do.

All in all, if you are interested in indie movies or Hill’s career, check out “Mid90s” when it is available to rent. Otherwise, maybe see something else: there just is not quite enough to recommend seeing it in theaters.

Written by Jacob Maher.