Daniel CooperHey !
Please indulge me. This is one of my first film “analysis,” or theory as I watch less than two or three movies a year.
I just finished watching Mid90s.
And I can't help but share this idea, this theory, that I couldn't find through simple searches:
Fourthgrade is in love with Sunburn.
It first struck me at the end of the “intradiegetic” film (which itself closes the ‘real’ film). It ends with a tactile, intimate, and very genuine moment between Fourthgrade and Sunburn, who utters the last word of the film: “Fourthgrade.”
The last scene and the last word of a film are, I believe, very important to the director. And Fourthgrade (and Jonah Hill as well) decided to end his film with Sunburn saying his surname.
It's almost like, not only in the “real” movie, Sunburn completes his integration into the group by allowing himself to use Fourthgrade's last name, even though Ruben told him not to. But in addition, in FourthGrade's film, it allowed Fourthgrade to feel accomplished when he heard Sunburn say his surname, something he probably forbade himself to do because of Ruben.
But it doesn't stop there.
After this initial reflection, I felt validated in an idea I had formed earlier without being sure of myself. “Strong Baby,” the name of the film FourthGrade dreams of making and which he used as his production name, refers to SunBurn.
Throughout the film, Sunburn is described by the group as especially resistant to hits and pain ( indeed, as he's used to it because his brother beats him).
And, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this idea that Sunburn is resistant was already mentioned when FourthGrade tells a girl about his film idea at a party.
What's more, at the daytime party behind the skate shop, Sunburn arrives with F*cksh*t, but it's FourthGrade he stays with. And it's SunBurn that FourthGrade, who never speaks, feels comfortable asking for advice.
And after fighting Ruben, it's FourthGrade who takes care of SunBurn.
Also, let's talk about the accident. Oh boy. The accident...
Have you wondered why it's through FourthGrade's face that we see the accident coming? Knowing that Sunburn will be the only one (it seems) in mortal danger, it's as if FourthGrade had a vision of this danger. Besides, it's not just an editing effect. We see FourthGrade reacting to this vision (or rather to the auditory warning, illustrated by the sudden increase in the volume of the horns).
This needs to be verified because I have trouble recognizing voices. But I have the impression that it is FourthGrade who is the first to worry about Stevie's condition after the accident.
Finally, one might wonder why FourthGrade decides to show his film in Sunburn's hospital room. Sunburn can take a hit, but he's taking them harder and harder. Could FourthGrade be afraid that the next one will be fatal and that Sunburn will die before he has the courage to show him his film?
In this regard, it is worth noting that before the “intradiegetic” film begins, FourthGrade glances at Sunburn to ensure that he is watching the film.
For all these reasons, I believe that FourthGrade is secretly in love with Sunburn.
And I think that, without being the main subject of the film, homosexuality is a “secret” theme, a secondary quest in the film.
Because, if you believe my theory, FourthGrade's love for Sunburn is increasingly illustrated as the film progresses. But also, Sunburn's fear of being taken for a « f*ggot » gradually fades from the moment he takes Ruben as his role model until they fight. Does Sunburn go from being an innocent child to becoming ready and able to choose his sexual orientation through the events of the film?
(I am an existentialist homosexual who believes that, yes, we choose to be homosexual and that is what allows us to be proud of it, but anyway, this is not the place to go into detail about that. If you prefer, replace “choose” with “discover,” or any word that makes you more comfortable and corresponds to your own beliefs).
Is it because FourthGrade realizes this ability that he agrees to show his film to SunBurn? Or is FourthGrade's film the last piece SunBurn needs to be fully ready to make a choice (or his discovery, or whatever you want to call it)?
There you have it. This theory is brought to you by Daniel Cooper, a homosexual who likes to see homosexuality everywhere.
It's 7:10 a.m. here. It's about time I go to bed.
PS: Does FourthGrade ever say SunBurn's surname, or does he always just call him Stevie?
#MovieReview #FilmReview #Movie #FilmCritic #Theory #MovieTheory #filmtheory #LGBTQIA #Queer #Gay #Homosexuality #Mid90s #Ete95 #JonahHill
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