BOYHOOD | Film Review (NO SPOILERS)

(Source: slopemedia)

Title: Boyhood

Director: Richard Linklater

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater

Originally Released: 2014

Running Time: 165 mins / 2 hrs 45 mins

Premise: A film made over 12 years, in which we see the main character Mason (Coltrane) grow up. From elementary school to college, we're with Mason throughout snapshots of his life, as he deals with family, relationships and life.

Thoughts going into the film: From the beginning this film sparked my interest. A film made over 12 years? And it's some random drama about family? Damn, it's a cliché but one I always allow myself. I love a good film about some random dysfunctional family. I picked this as my first Oscar film of the year, mainly due to these assets, it seemed quite apparent I would love it. 

Thoughts immediately after: OK? Why did it end there? 

The Film: OK, so the plot had its moments, and for me it was really a film in two blurred halves. The first half was packed with emotion, the plot initially seemed to be fuelled through feeling. We see Mason adapt to life with divorced parents, a new father, a new family, a new home. Its cliché, again, but I enjoyed this. The best parts of the film, I felt, were in which we saw the spontaneity and fun of children. Just random shots of them playing and laughing and talking were quite special. I especially loved the conversations between the Dad (Hawke) and Mason, they felt the most spontaneous and personal. Also, Linklater's typical addition of "the sex talk" was perfect.

The second half, however, was slooooooow, and just, for me, pretentious crap. It's as if Mason became this deep philosophical thinker that made even less sense than any other tortured philosophic soul. The plot ran dry as essentially nothing really happened. We witness a first proper girlfriend, him dealing with the move to college, but then its cut short (despite the film being almost 3 hours) in an uneventful way. 

Ellar Coltrane & Lorelei Linklater (Source: craveonline)

The Cast: First things first, for me, the stand-out was Lorelei Linklater. Not Oscar-worthy, but she was far more interesting and dynamic than Mason was as a character, and Coltrane's portrayal of him. Linklater was funny and quirky, for me I thought she had a sense of awkwardness that encompassed the teenage girl mould quite well. Coltrane was fantastic in the earlier half, but as the film droned on, as did his voice and I was perpetually bored of its incessant moping. Yet again, every teenage boy has that stage in which they're some cocky free-thinker (I think I could still be there myself, aged 21). Hawke was great and offered perhaps a sense of humour that the film was lacking. Arquette, again, was fantastic in the first half, but her charm slipped away in the middle. In regards to supporting characters in the background I found, particularly Mason's friend's teenage brother the worst casting possible, it was almost as if the film was now a parody of growing up instead of a depiction of it. 

Final Thoughts: Upon reflection, I must say Boyhood was a great, innovative experiment with cinema. I mean, I have to say that, right? It was, but I must say whilst watching it, it had a certain charm. The direction was consistent and great, I'm sure if I was filming a film for 12 years I'd be tempted to experiment with cinematography and style, Linklater doesn't seem to do this, which I'm thankful for. I think if he changed its tone like every Harry Potter film did, I'd throw up. The uniqueness of Boyhood makes it a stand out, by the end you do feel like you've grown up with Mason, whereas within usual re-casting for different ages it doesn't allow you that so naturally. Its quite generic in its plot, but still unique enough to avoid too many comparisons, in my eyes. To add another cliché into the mix, the film certainly has heart. The film feels personal and reflective, and I did like that. I'm not surprised this has garnered critical acclaim and has won the BAFTA, and that it will probably win the Oscar. I'll be happy if this wins Best Picture, but I can't help but think there could be a more deserving film, whether on this year's nominee list or not. 

★★★★☆

*Disclaimer: these are just my thoughts & feelings - feel free to disagree or agree and let me know in the comments below!*