Hollywood is the epicenter of pursuing dreams. People flock there from all over the world for the small chance to make it in the entertainment industry. Just beyond the hills of Mount Hollywood – away from the infamous walk of fame and the boulevard’s bright lights – is North Hollywood, a place often left out of the conversation (since it is in the valley, after all). In his directorial debut, filmmaker and skater Mikey Alfred shows that North Hollywood is also a breeding ground for dreamers and doers.

Expression

If you’re familiar with the world of skateboarding, you’ve probably heard of Mikey Alfred. Mikey is the founder of skate crew & company Illegal Civ and served as co-producer on Jonah Hill’s directorial debut Mid90s (A24). Sticking to what he knows best, Mikey’s film tells the story of Michael (Ryder McLaughlin), a high school senior who wants to pursue his dream of becoming a professional skater instead of following the college status quo, much to the detest of his father (Vince Vaughn). His friends (Nico Hiraga and Na-Kel Smith) encourage his nonlinear path but when Michael gets caught up in a relationship with his longtime crush Rachel (Miranda Cosgrove), he starts to doubt what is the best move for him. The film feels like Mikey’s own coming-of-age story, an extremely personal, slice of life film that will no doubt resonate with Gen Z audiences, and especially fans of Illegal Civ.

Expression: 4 out of 5 stars

Daring

Putting professional skaters in front of a camera and calling “action” is a risk in and of itself (I say that from experience). But Mikey’s faith in his cast is strong and they deliver. Of course, they’re not aiming for Oscar recognition but the entire cast, including Blake Anderson, Euphoria‘s Angus Cloud, and even Mid90s‘ Sunny Suljic, all bring an authentic and fun energy to their roles. It’s also a blast to see Mikey incorporate a good amount of skate footage into the film like kickflips, ramps tricks, and plenty of fails. After all, he is working with an insanely talented and stellar crew.

Daring: 3 out of 5 stars

Craft

North Hollywood is backed by some pretty legit producers and exec producers, including Pharrell Williams, Noah Centineo, and Mimi Valdés to name a few. Their experience enhances Mikey’s signature blend of classic Hollywood cinema and youth culture. It’s a fairly traditional comedy/drama but considering the fact that 26-year-old Mikey wrote and directed the film, it’s a huge achievement.

Daring: 3 out of 5 stars

Impact

Has a movie like this been made hundreds of times over? Sure. But what’s unique about North Hollywood is the genuine authenticity that illuminates from the screen. These aren’t your typical “too cool for school” skater boys, Michael is an insecure nerdy type who suffers from hormonal acne and still gets grounded by his dad. The characters here are aspirational skate rats, and that’s a term I never thought I’d say.

Impact: 3 out of 5 stars

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a less “ultra-hipster” version of Mid90s, I recommend taking a peek at North Hollywood. At its core, the film is a universal message of fighting for a dream; whether that dream is running a board room or pushing a skateboard, aiming for a future that we want is something we should all aspire towards.

Conclusion: 3 out of 5 stars

Distributed by Brainstorm Media, ‘North Hollywood’ is currently streaming on VOD.