In 2002, Richard Linklater conceived a 12 year long project, which would charter the development of Mason as he navigated through childhood from the ages of 6 to 18. Described by Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian as a 'bildingsroman for modern American cinema,' we meet Mason (Ellar Coltrane) as a six year old living in Suburban Texas with his older sister (the director's daughter Lorelei Linklater) and single mother (Patricia Arquette). His Bohemian musician father (Ethan Hawke) visits sporadically. Over the next twelve years come new neighbourhoods, new friends and new step-dads. We catch a glimpse of camping holidays, family dinners as well as milestones such as birthdays and graduations as Mason grows into a kid who some how manages to be both conscientious and in a world of his own.
Where Boyhood resonates me is how the timeline of the film parallels my own childhood. Although Mason is a few years older than me, his noughties childhood is still a source of nostalgia. The film launches you back to 2002 to see the decade which has just passed happen all over again: an ode to Harry Potter, the kids playing Wii sports, the 2008 Presidential Election and the ever-evolving soundtrack (who remembers Soulja Boy?) There are even funny moments like 2007 Mason and his father speculating the likelihood of further Star Wars films (something we now know is in the works). And more recently, near the end of the film, an astute 18 year old Mason declares that he doesn't want to live his whole life looking at screens. This recent phenomenon is also an ever growing issue. Are we all too obsessed with technology? Ar we too 'in touch' with the world?
The film is very impressive achievement: the acting is excellent and and it's well written and directed. There's been talk about the lead being disappointing but I think he gave a convincing performance. It's the best recent film I've seen in a while. Boyhood paints an intimate and realistic portrayal of contemporary American family life. No 'creative license' is used to over-dramatise it. And It so perfectly captures the last decade. In 100 years, I imagine it will be a perfect historical source of public attitudes, customs and what everyday life was really like from 2002 to 2014 in the US. Despite its rooting in this time period, it is a lot more than that. It is has a universal appeal. Everyone grows up.
I highly recommend trying to catch it in cinemas because it's already been out for a month.
Pictures from:http://portlandtheatrescene.com/2014/07/04/boyhood/
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/66995
Have you seen Boyhood? What are your thoughts on it?
The film is very impressive achievement: the acting is excellent and and it's well written and directed. There's been talk about the lead being disappointing but I think he gave a convincing performance. It's the best recent film I've seen in a while. Boyhood paints an intimate and realistic portrayal of contemporary American family life. No 'creative license' is used to over-dramatise it. And It so perfectly captures the last decade. In 100 years, I imagine it will be a perfect historical source of public attitudes, customs and what everyday life was really like from 2002 to 2014 in the US. Despite its rooting in this time period, it is a lot more than that. It is has a universal appeal. Everyone grows up.
I highly recommend trying to catch it in cinemas because it's already been out for a month.
Pictures from:http://portlandtheatrescene.com/2014/07/04/boyhood/
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/66995
Have you seen Boyhood? What are your thoughts on it?