Review: Boyhood
TWELVE years in the making and featuring the same cast throughout, Boyhood is an ambitious and engrossing ode to growing up as seen through the eyes of a boy who ages from five to eighteen in front of our eyes over the course of a couple of hours.
Writer/director Richard Linklater, who is based in Austin, Texas, sets a new benchmark for filmmaking with a small independent project that is likely to resonate far beyond the borders of the Lone Star state.
Ellar Coltrane is the boy/young man at the heart of a story which spans America’s response to 9/11 through to the advent of a social media-saturated world. Chances are you’ll recognise a few of the characters outlined along the way and many of the developing storylines – which is what makes this such a fascinating project.
The two most recognisable names in the cast list are Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke. Arquette is excellent as the single mother who manages to reinvent herself in a quest to improve her family’s lot despite a series of bad relationship choices.
Hawke is the wayward young dad who matures into a different man through the life lessons life teaches him and manages to maintain a bond with in his ‘weekend father ’ role with his kids throughout. Some of the most rewarding scenes feature him interacting with the children as they grow up from young kids to altogether more knowing teenagers.
Coltrane’s performance will rightly be hailed for its natural, mature feel. It’s so believable that at times you forget this is a film script. In truth though, it’s a triumph of ensemble acting, the ‘bit part’ players all important to the overall feel. Lorelei Linklater, who is the daughter of the writer/director, also turns in a wonderfully natural performance.
The dialogue-driven film reflects social changes over the past decade or so, including the increasing ‘screenification’ of our lives. It also shows how small, random acts of kindness can change other people’s lives for the better. Despite its modest budget, it is probably more relatable to the average viewer than 99 per cent of what will be released this summer.
A rites of passage film like no other, Boyhood has a hefty 165-minute running time – not bad given the 12-year shoot. Yet it never really feels disjointed, despite the span of time covered. And there’s a cracking soundtrack to boot.
Boyhood can be seen at Eden Court until July 31. It's rated 15. See here for film times. You can see a trailer for the film here.