Middletown: Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine Celebrate Civic Courage

Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine's Middletown delivers their most triumphant celebration of youthful idealism yet, transforming a 1990s high school investigation into toxic waste dumping into a masterclass in both documentary filmmaking and democratic participation.

The film follows students in upstate New York who, armed with newly acquired video cameras and guided by unconventional teacher Fred Isseks, uncovered a criminal conspiracy involving Ford Motor Company, the Genovese crime family, and local political corruption.

What emerges is both a love letter to investigative journalism and a demonstration of education's transformative power. Isseks' "Electronic English" class empowered students to become "creators rather than consumers," using documentary tools to speak truth to power when adults had failed to act. The film's central theme of "civic courage"—behaving as if one lives in a free country even when freedoms are threatened—resonates powerfully in contemporary political contexts.

The documentary seamlessly integrates pristinely preserved VHS footage from the 1990s with contemporary anamorphic scope interviews, creating temporal juxtaposition that honors both past and present. The archival material—hundreds of hours preserved by Isseks in his basement—provides authentic period texture while contemporary interviews offer mature reflection on youthful activism.

The film's greatest strength lies in its authentic character development. Former students like Rachel Raimist and Jeff DuTemple emerge as fully realized individuals whose teenage idealism has evolved into adult wisdom. Their willingness to challenge authority figures—including a police officer's son who described himself as "something of an anarchist"—demonstrates the democratic potential of youth engagement.

Thorsten Thielow's cinematography balances the grainy authenticity of student VHS footage with contemporary cinematic texture. Some critics noted visual dissonance between these approaches, yet this tension serves the film's themes about technological democratization and the evolution of documentary practice.

Christopher Passig's editing brings what critics called "gonzo spirit" to the material while maintaining narrative discipline. The film functions as both environmental thriller and coming-of-age story, with the toxic waste investigation serving as catalyst for personal and political development. The integration of footage from seven different student documentaries spanning 1991–1997 creates a comprehensive portrait of sustained civic engagement.

The film also succeeds as meta-commentary on documentary filmmaking itself. It showcases the students' original documentary Garbage, Gangsters, and Greed while celebrating the medium's democratic potential. Moss and McBaine understand that documentary tools can empower ordinary citizens to hold powerful institutions accountable.

The exploration of environmental justice proves particularly resonant. The students' investigation exposed how environmental hazards disproportionately affect working-class communities while demonstrating the intersection of corporate negligence and political corruption. Their work anticipated contemporary environmental activism while providing a model for effective local journalism.

Todd Griffin's score enhances the period authenticity with '90s musical selections like Informer by Snow, creating nostalgic texture without overwhelming the film's serious themes. The 113-minute runtime allows sufficient space for both investigation and reflection while maintaining dramatic momentum.

What makes Middletown exceptional is its celebration of transformative education and civic engagement. The film demonstrates how unconventional teaching methods can empower students to become active citizens while honoring the enduring relevance of investigative journalism. Moss and McBaine have created both crowd-pleasing entertainment and sophisticated political commentary—a rare achievement that confirms their status as masters of youth-focused documentary filmmaking.

This is inspiring filmmaking that avoids saccharine sentiment while demonstrating democracy's potential when citizens embrace their power to challenge authority and seek truth.