Movie Review: Boyhood

Filmed over 12 years, Boyhood shows the experiences of growing up, told in the eyes of a boy named Mason. I had been excited about this movie ever I read about it’s premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. The concept was immediately gripping and the reviews were very positive, so I couldn’t wait until it was released.

The wait for the film to be released near me seemed very long, but I figured if the filmmakers and actors took their time to create such a unique piece, I could hold on a little bit longer too.

Opening with Coldplay’s first hit song “Yellow,” the audience goes back in time to view a six-year-old Mason. Mason, played by newcomer Ellar Coltrane, is young and innocent as the film begins. We see him playing with friends outside and arguing with his big sister (played by Lorelei Linklater.) From there, about every 10 or 15 minutes, Mason looks a little bit different and a little bit older. This is often most noticeable with a new hairstyle or a new person in his life. As the childhood innocence goes away, we see many things that most pre-teens and teenagers go through and what experiences lead them into adulthood. Over the span of 2.5 hours, the film blends each year after year subtly, and we really do see Mason grow from a young boy into a young man right before our eyes. 

Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke also star as Mason’s parents, who provide the strongest performances. Even though the story is about Mason, the development of the parents is the most memorable and impacting. The parents are young and divorced as the film begins, and we see their efforts to be in their children’s lives and how they deal with complicated issues. 

Arquette’s character goes through many wearisome relationships and financial issues as she attempts to raise her two children. She slowly reaches her education goals and career goals, but also faces many disappointments along the way. Hawke’s character begins as a bit of a bum, without a consistent job or reliability in his children’s lives. His transformation by the end of the film is the most surprising, as he develops into a strong family man who is there for his children whenever he is needed.

What I enjoyed most about the film was that it didn’t necessarily have huge moments or intense drama throughout. While some viewers may find that aspect boring, I thought it brought more a more realistic touch to the story. Many films these days have car chases, shocking deaths, and over-the-top dialogue, but this was a story simply about life. 

At the end of the film as Mason is heading off to college, Arquette’s character exclaims “I just thought there would be more than this!” This phrase will probably stick with many viewers, and not because the film leaves anything to be desired. While life may not turn out what we were expecting or hoping, Boyhood shows that all those little moments growing up really do mean a lot, even if we can’t always see it as we live it.