Boyhood

"I think it sums up the movie and life in a way. Simultaneously overwhelming and underwhelming." - /u/IncidentOn57thStreet

This movie is unlike anything I've ever seen before, and it's in a good way. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the movie follows the same actor, his sister, and his divorced parents over the course of 12 years. You get to watch Mason, the main character, grow up on screen. And the end result is a fascinating, nostalgic achievement that's unlike anything ever done before.

*Spoilers ahead*

Mason is only two years older than me; the movie starts when he is 6 and ends when he is going off to college. Mason's kid years are a blast from the past. I had the same blue Gameboy, played Deadman on the trampoline, cherished my 20 Questions game, and rode a Ripstik. Other than Mason's family situations, our early lives aren't that different; we rode our bikes around the neighborhood with our friends and had annoying sisters. Director Richard Linklater takes viewers on a relatable journey through the 90's and 2000's with details right down to the music. I laughed at Mason's stepdad's admiration of Roger Clemens and he and Mason's discussion on why Star Wars would never have another sequel. It all feels 100% genuine, because it is; everything was filmed right in its own time period.

Boyhood isn't just about the boy. Over the course of 12 years, his family changes too. His older sister grows up, his mom marries and remarries, and his Dad enters his life again. It's amazing to watch the family's experiences shape their personalities and dialogue for the rest of the film. That's the most incredible thing about this film; it feels like real life. It's realistic when realistic doesn't mean a happy ending for everyone. The emotions feel real and the story feels real; it's not bogged down by a plot. It is simply a boy growing up and discovering what it means to be human. Like real life, Mason's life has ups and downs, triumphs and losses.

Boyhood doesn't follow the traditional story arc. It doesn't have a climax or even a denouement. Just 12 years of a boy growing up. And I wasn't bored once.

"Few filmmakers ever make a great movie. Fewer still ever make a movie that expands what movies can express. Richard Linklater does both with Boyhood." - Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

In conclusion, this is a coming-of-age film unlike any other, a groundbreaking experiment that celebrates life and the journey it takes you on.