Boyhood-2014

Director Richard Linklater

Starring Ellar Coltrane

Scott’s Review #217

Reviewed January 19, 2015

Grade: A

Boyhood (2014) is a family drama directed by Richard Linklater that follows a family’s trials and tribulations over twelve years, from about 2002 to 2013.

The film uses the same actors throughout, allowing viewers to see the characters change.

What a novel idea! In this day and age of special effects, superheroes, and animated animals, how refreshing to see a simple tale of a family told over a while.

The film’s main character is Mason Evans, Jr., played by Ellar Coltrane.

We meet Mason at age six, in first grade. He lives with his older sister Samantha, played by the director’s daughter Lorelei Linklater, and his mother Olivia, played by Patricia Arquette, in Texas.

Ethan Hawke, divorced from Olivia, plays Mason’s father (Mason Sr.).

As the years go by, we see situations arise, and the characters grow and develop like in real life.

After the film, Mason Jr. heads off to college after years of life experience, including his first relationship. The other characters develop, and we see Olivia and Mason Sr. enter relationships with partners, some successful, others less so.

Boyhood succeeds because it is a film about real life that feels like a slice of Americana.

It’s a wonderful film.

The audience invests in the characters because we grow to love and care about their lives. It’s like seeing cousins or friends once a year and watching what becomes of their lives over time.

This film fascinates me because it is so basic and real that it does not need contrived dramatic situations to warrant attention. It is simply authentic, and that is what makes a great film.

The film is left-leaning politically, and I love that family members bring up current events throughout the years.

As the film progresses, we see Mason Sr. comment on his distaste for the Iraq War, the children’s anticipation of the new Harry Potter film, Mason Sr. take the kids to a Houston Astros game, and mentions of The Beatles and Star Wars.

Another scene sadly focuses on a returning soldier from Iraq who has Post-traumatic stress disorder.

These nuances make the film seem so authentic and rich.

As wonderful a job as Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke did, neither of them had a huge, bombastic, emotional scene that would have been splendid given their talents, but this is a small criticism.

Both are superb as struggling parents trying to do the right thing for their children and carve out a life for themselves.

Boyhood redefines realism in film as we watch a family unit hope, struggle, and dream play out before our eyes.

The film doesn’t need overwrought drama; it is simply a slice of life for a group of people we come to know and love.

Everyone can relate to Boyhood (2014).

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture, Best Director-Richard Linklater, Best Supporting Actor-Ethan Hawke, Best Supporting Actress-Patricia Arquette (won), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 2 wins-Best Feature, Best Director-Richard Linklater (won), Best Supporting Male-Ethan Hawke, Best Supporting Female-Patricia Arquette (won), Best Editing