Writer/Director: Richard Linklater
Stars: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, and Lorelei Linklater
IMDb Logline: The life of a young man, Mason, from age 5 to age 18.
Pros:
- Interesting idea excellently executed
- Outstanding performances from Ellar Coltrane (Mason), Patricia Arquette (Mom), and Ethan Hawke (Dad)
- Refreshing to see a role played by someone who is actually the age of the character they are playing
- True to life
Cons:
- Weak performance from Marco Perella (Mom’s second husband) nearly derails the middle-school years
- Some years feel flatter than others–as life sometimes is
- Lorelei Linklater’s ambivalence to the project in the middle years of shooting also comes across in her performance
Review: Boyhood is a well crafted, acted, and scripted film. And though the story is immediately relatable, I personally felt a disconnect with the film. But something about the film stays with you–little details you remember or conversations between characters. The rawness of some scenes is very affecting; the tenderness between characters genuine. Though I do not agree with all the high praise the film is currently garnering, I have a feeling that upon a re-watching in a year or two I may change my tune.
Grade = B-
Click on image to view trailer
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