On the surface, Boyhood is just a coming of age film, and not the first in Richard Linklater's career. Beneath the surface it is one of the most unusual projects in film history and easily Linklater's opus magnum. It depicts the growing up of Mason (Ellar Coltrane), a dreamy, imaginative, sensitive boy, son of a single mother without much luck when it comes to men and an easygoing though slightly irresponsible father. The unusual thing: Linklater filmed this over the span of twelve years, assembling the same cast every year. What we see is a boy of seven growing into a young man just starting college.
There is something people should know before watching this movie, and that is that it takes place from 2002 to 2014. I grew up in that same generation, so as I watched this movie I felt like I was growing up all over again seeing the references to pop culture, society, politics, middle school, high school, and technology. It was incredible to experience that. And even for those who weren't children growing up in those 12 years will still feel a sense of going back in time. There was not one moment that I thought wasn't needed. In fact, I and the rest of the audience wished there had been more going on.
The characters are well developed. Don't be fooled by the title --- the spirit of Boyhood is alive here, but the female characters are thoroughly developed, distinct, and dynamic. Unfortunately, despite the fact it's 2014, developed female characters are a rarity in cinema. Boyhood is the most rewarding and refreshing films for sometime. Linklater somehow manages to authentically capture 12 years of life experiences into a beautiful and moving 3 hour film. You feel a genuine connection with these characters as you watch them literally age right before your eyes. Yet, what makes this film so unique and touching is its deep humanity. Although it is a fictional piece, you can't help not to relate to the actors as if it would be a documentary. Every scene feels like real life. I know that this is not necessarily a good thing to say about a movie but it is meant as a compliment.
This is more than a coming of age story; the title "Family" or "Motherhood" would be just as appropriate. Set in Texas, the screenplay is natural and reminiscent of plenty of Linklater's other work: a film that begins with dialogue unlike any other Linklater films evolves into thoughtful, poignant discourse not unlike that from the "Before" series. One character in a late-night nacho scene was perhaps a callback to the heady "Waking Life." With that said, this absolutely is not a mere think piece. What makes this film truly fantastic is how accessible the material is, given its scope. Without giving any narrative away, I'll say that the story itself is absolutely engaging and not without surprises. I laughed, gasped, covered my eyes, and I damn sure wept.
This is a film about life. Involving everything that our lives involve: All the drama just as much as the habits, the boredom as well as the beauty. Although all the adult actors are excellent (particularly the different husbands of Mason's mother all delivered memorable performances), what is most impressive is to observe Ellar Coltrane and Richard Linklater's daughter Lorelei - brother and sister on screen- develop into talented young actors. Particularly Coltrane shows great depth without huge gestures and I hope we'll get to see a lot more of him in the future.
Boyhood is the most powerful and unique coming-of-age film ever made and it will be proclaimed as a classic for the years to come.