If the Academy Awards were handed out today, Boyhood would easily win for Best Picture. It is, without a doubt, the most original movie of the year.
The story revolves around Mason (Ellar Coltrane), following him from second grade to college. In a feat of groundbreaking filmmaking, writer/director Richard Linklater shot the movie, with the same cast, over 12 years so we literally watch Mason grow up on screen.
And, as though this is our own home movie – which, in many ways, it is – we are mesmerized.
Mason’s parents, Olivia (Patricia Arquette) and Mason, Sr. (Ethan Hawke), divorce early on and his life is impacted by their choices in new partners and places to live. His sister, Samantha (played by Linklater’s own daughter, Lorelei), has her own issues and, honestly, I’m hoping that Linklater took enough footage to surprise us with Girlhood next.
Mason is adorable as a little boy and it is fascinating to watch him transform, going through that natural progression to awkward adolescent and surly teenager. As a mother, you just want to keep him young, and the movie is as much about parenting as it is about growing up.
In fact, I often found myself gasping in recognition as Olivia evolved over the years, gaining weight, changing hair styles and trying desperately to balance her needs with her children’s needs, because it is so easy to relate to many of her feelings. By the time she sent Mason off to college, I was sobbing along with her.
No one understands and captures the passage of time quite like Linklater. He demonstrated this to perfection in his must-see trilogy, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight, and he takes it to a whole new level in Boyhood, seamlessly weaving the years together without ever having to announce them.
You blink and Mason is a few inches taller. His dad is a little grayer. His mom is a little thicker in the waist.
Time continues to pass.
The movie is almost three hours long and, although you certainly feel the weight of the years, suddenly it’s over and you wonder where the time went.
Just like you do in real life.
That movie sounds wonderful. As the mom of 2 boys, I am definitely interested in seeing it.
Oh my…teared up in the trailer. May need to wait until this one is on Netflix so I can cry in the peace of my own home.
I have been DYING to see this. I think i’ve been following it for over a year now just waiting till i can witness this beauty of a film. So genius the way it is played out over the years and the dedication from the actors is amazing!
This looks like an amazing movie, I def need to see it!
This sounds like a great movie. I can’t believe I haven’t heard of it yet.
This movie sounds very intriguing. I have two sons so I’m sure some of the content would resonate with me.
I have a 4 year old boy. I am interested as well.
This sounds like an amazing movie! I love the fact that it was shot over 12 years. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anybody else doing something like that before.
Hadn’t heard of this one, but sounds like The Truman Show (which I loved). Putting it on my watch list!
Wow, that IS groundbreaking! I’m very interested in seeing this movie. Thanks for the review!
Sounds like a great movie. I’m definitely putting this one on my list.
Wow great review you really grabbed my attention and I want to see it too.
This sounds like a great movie that I would actually enjoy watching. I hate when you watch movies and kids are young and then you are left hanging to wonder how they turned out.
I really want to see this movie, your description of it and the years they took making it just makes it all the more appealing. Perhaps because my daughter is now a senior in high school I feel even without watching this, I could relate. Can’t wait to see it!
I wanted to see this movie before. Your review makes me want to see even more. Especially knowing we are actually seeing the young boy grow up. That is so amazing.
This movie sounds really interesting. I’ve always been a big Ethan Hawke fan as well. I normally don’t watch serious films anymore but I would like to see this one.
I have heard about this, read about it in a magazine. I definitely want to see this. I hope it’s as well done as it sounds. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Ethan Hawke is one of my favorite actors. I adored Before Sunrise and Before Sunset! This is definitely on my list to watch.
Boyhood sounds like a great movie. I’m definitely going to check it out!
I’ve never heard of this movie before (which isn’t saying much. I don’t normally hear about movies until everyone else has seen them.), but this sounds wonderful. It is remarkable that they were patient enough to shoot this over 12 years in order to see everyone grow and change naturally. Awesome.