Boyhood Movie Review

"I just feel like there are so many things that I could be doing and probably want to be doing that I'm just not."

-Mason

I saw boyhood about four months ago and while I'm digging to remember details, I can't forget how much I loved it. There are people who agree with me and others who call Boyhood overrated and a gimmick, but I don't really care as it doesn't change my opinion of the film. I'm a fan of the director Richard Linklater for his Before Sunrise series and I thoroughly enjoyed this film. As many of you may know this movie was filmed over the course of twelve years with the same cast. This cast consisted of Ellar Coltrane who is the main character Mason, Patricia Arquette who plays his mom, Ethan Hawke plays his dad, and Lorelei Linklater plays his sister. I thought it was pretty amazing to see these characters age and grow on screen together with an amazing story.

While all the characters came together to make this film and they're all important in furthering the story, the film ultimately revolves around Mason and it is a coming of age story. In 2002 Mason is a six year old boy who lives with his sister and mother. His parents are separated but neither of his parents are necessarily bad parents, their relationship just failed. Both his mom and dad are extremely influential in his life and in this story and there are many touching scenes that are very easy to relate to. But his mom does not have luck with men and throughout the film she becomes involved with some abusive men. She still does her best to protect her children and it was heartbreaking to see the kids being exposed to domestic violence on some level in the household.

I have never seen a movie that was filmed over such a long period of time and it was also amazing that Mason was the same age as I was as the film progressed. He was watching Dragon Ball Z at the same age as I was and he went to see The Dark Knight the same summer I did. Things like that definitely made me enjoy the film just a bit more because I was able to relate so closely with it. The film was pretty long but I didn't mind because I was so invested in Mason and his story. It was awesome to see him grow up and how the influence of his friends and family helped shape who he would become. The plot itself would not have made for a great movie on its own, but adding the fact that it was filmed over twelve years added a whole different element that was very unique.

I'll admit, the acting from Mason  and his sister weren't phenomenal but I still enjoyed it very much. On the other hand I love Ethan Hawke and I think he did a great job, despite his role probably not being the most difficult to play. Him and Patricia Arquette both had very genuine performances. By the end of the film when Mason was going away for college, I was already so invested in his story and it was particularly emotional because I had very recently gone away for college myself. The film was by no means perfect but I enjoyed it so much and it was one of my favorite films of 2014. I give Boyhood an 8.5 out of 10.