**This thread is dedicated to spoiler heavy discussion of Boyhood (2014). If you haven’t seen it, get on it and add your 2 cents. The OP will be a series of hyperbole and gushy thoughts about everyone involved. Feel free to jump in if you feel otherwise. That’s part of the fun of discussing films**
Richard Linklater’s latest film is the culmination of a 12 year project that started in 2002. This is a hell of an achievement because Linklater’s notable films as of 2002 “only” included: Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, and Waking Life. This film should solidify him as one of the finest filmmakers working today and certainly one of the best of our generation.
Talk about putting all your eggs in one basket! Linklater cast Ellar Coltrane in the lead. Coltrane is a force in this film. As expected for a child actor he starts out so-so but as he gets older he only gets better. It’s amazing to watch a young boy grow into a terrific actor for the duration of the 165 minute runtime.
Patricia Arquette turns in the most honest, most moving performance in this film. She completely transforms into a single mother, protecting her baby cubs while bettering herself throughout the film. Arquette’s final scene is among the most moving scenes in any Linklater film. If your eyes are dry or if there is no lump in your throat you may be a robot!! =p My favorite scene with Arquette and Coltrane is when he came home and she busted him while he was high/drunk. She accepted/tolerated her son’s teen partying. That scene reminded me of the first time my mom caught me drunk while sneaking home. I thought I was going to get in major **** but she just told me to sleep it off.
Some may argue that Linklater is playing with nostalgia and moments everyone can relate to: getting drunk, teen pressures, homophobia, bullying, first love, self discovery. It would be reckless to accuse Linklater of using familiar devices to evoke easy emotions. The entire story feels genuine, honest and deeply intimate. I appreciate it when a filmmaker puts it all out there, completely exposing himself/herself.
Many pearls of wisdom come from the mouth of Ethan Hawke. “Life doesn’t give you bumpers.” “Don’t turn over the controls of your self esteem to some girl.” <—I WISH someone told me this when I was 17. Even as a grown man it feels like Linklater is giving me life lessons and insight on the path I’ve taken in my life. Hawke’s political commentary was heavy handed yet light in his delivery. Who didn’t laugh when they took that McCain sign?
There is so much to this film that I just wanted to write a few words to get the conversation going. There isn’t a false note in this film.