2014
Directed by Richard Linklater
I am once more stuck in bed recovering from yet another surgery/biopsy. Oh well, it gives me a chance to catch up on movies. I put on Boyhood thinking it would at least help me sleep. To my surprise, I ended up loving it.
Boyhood follows the life of Mason and his sister Samantha from the age of around seven to his graduation from high school. Mason's parents Olivia and Mason Sr. are divorced. Olivia attempts to fill the void by giving her children a stepfather (which in movie language roughly translates to alcoholic rapist monster) while Mason Sr. lives a bohemian, less responsible life.
This was a bizarre experience for me. Mason Jr. is only a little bit younger than me, so our childhoods were marked by many of the same staples. I too intended Harry Potter release parties, had a Gameboy SP (although mine was red), and lived through those horrible High School Musical days. It was odd seeing my childhood play out on screen; I guess that is the first sign of getting old.
Anyway, I thought the concept for this movie was brilliant. Still, I am not sure it would have been quite as interesting to me if I didn't share my "girlhood" years with the main character. It had slow pacing and not much happened. On the other hand, the acting was incredible, and I still think it is worth a try.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Ellar Coltrone was seven when filming began and nineteen when it finished.
Mason is only absent in two scenes.
Favorite 2014 film of Barack Obama's.
