Weighted from an 8.6 average · Why?
A landmark portrait of growing up, rendered with rare authenticity.
Verdict tier Exceptional, critics broadly rave, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical consensus on Boyhood is overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers broadly regarding it as a landmark cinematic achievement and a bold, masterful experiment. Critics most commonly praised Linklater's ability to capture the texture and minutiae of everyday life with authenticity and emotional resonance. The film's slow, episodic, and meandering pace was the one recurring reservation, though most critics who flagged it did not consider it a significant flaw.
2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
The Monk Score is weighted from a plain average of 8.6 · how scores work
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 9 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Go, get to know Boyhood. Soak it in and let it enrich you, amuse you, hold you close. Let it open your mind a little bit more toward the possibilities great cinema holds. Live it. Let this film be your jam. To paraphrase John Lennon, life is what happens when you're busy watching other films.
Top critic
Film review ·
We have already seen Linklater's love for letting his characters drive the story rather than the other way around. However, in Boyhood — beginning with the first shot of Mason (Coltrane) lying on the grass, his arm stretched at an odd angle behind him, looking up at the sky — the biggest presence is the absence of a "driving force", quite like in real life. It's because life happens when you are busy doing other things...
Top critic
Film review ·
'Boyhood' then is a true gem, and a bold, brave experiment that's as intimate as it is expansive. It's an emotionally affecting film with a big beating heart, and Linklater shows us that indeed life is in the little details. Don't miss it.
Top critic
Film review ·
I do not know what alchemy Linklater performed to pull off such a project, but he somehow did it. And for a film buff, it's a reason to rejoice. It's a reason to rediscover your love for cinema. It's a reason to take everyone you know to the nearest theatre and return home with some seriously fond memories.
Film review ·
In spite of being presented in an unhurried, episodic manner, you will not find this over two-hour long docu-style indie film sluggish, for it showcases the minutiae of everyday life beautifully. No wonder Linklater said, "You've never seen a movie exactly like this, and you may not again. It is a life project."
Film review ·
Boyhood is a beautiful film that explores both the simplicity and the complexity of life. No matter who you are or what you've been through, you will be able to relate to some aspects of Boyhood. Watch it if you're looking to enjoy a coming-of-age film that explores the beauty of life.
Film review ·
Boyhood is long; it dawdles and somehow ends up fine and independent.
Film review ·
Once the initial wide-eyed worship of the filming process fades away, all that Boyhood leaves you with is a faint sense of nostalgia and not much else.
Film review ·
Boyhood is a long, meandering film, but it's masterful and elegant. Time ticks away and with every scene, your curiosity about what lies ahead for Mason intensifies. By the end of the film, the rest of Mason's life has begun and we're longing to be part of it all over again.
Film review ·
...it is truly 'a historical moment in cinema' and not just because of Linklater's courage to even take up a behemoth like this but also for the masterful execution of the same. So let the 'moment seize you' and make sure you don't miss out on being a part of the history.
From our readers
19 ratings · user score 8.0
How can such a simple subject and such a simple story, which could have otherwise been another teen movie, become a cult classic? Watch boyhood for the answer. Their's something for everyone in this movie and this is actually once in a lifetime watch.
This movie was a passage to somnia - boring in the excruciating extreme. My family has more interesting home movies (without sound) of us kids passing from the awkward phases of childhood into adolescence than this piece of dreck. At least Mom and Dad taught us to ENUNCIATE from a fairly early age. If the Academy judges Boyhood to be best picture this year I will know for sure that its system of voting and toadying is nothing but politics.
One of the best movies in 2014. The movie seized me! "The movie shoot over period of 12 years of a boy named Mason", that thought itself is an award winning and appraisable. Huge thanks to the movie maker and team for bringing such a great concept over to cinemas. Now as far as story telling is concerned, the viewer will relate this one to himself or herself. If we think about our past, what things we will remember? …. Not all the things as they are PAST things, anybody is likely to forget those things. But everybody is aware of all "Important" , life changing, memorable, happy, sad, things happened and we will keep them, remember them for the rest of our life. That's all, this is the exact topic of this movie. All the things told, instructed, explained to Mason are directly or indirectly applicable to all of us. We can learn and make our life better through all of these experiences of Mason shared with us. I mean this movie was one the best example for our kids when they are turning into their teenage. Rating 5/ 5
This is LIFE! Movie don't get any better than this!
Nothing can beat this. Really greatly directed every part of any average boy.. Maximum of us had gone through this kind of life, really touching. All stages just perfectly directed. All this hard work really deserved to be at no. 1 position for richard. Just love u man...
Credits
Ellar Coltrane
Patricia Arquette
Ethan Hawke
Lorelei Linklater
Richard Linklater
Cathleen Sutherland
Jonathan Sehring
John Sloss
Lee Daniel
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