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Boyhood is a 2014 American coming-of-age drama film that the director spent twelve years making. The film's story simply follows a boy named Mason (Coltrane) as he progresses from age 6 to 18 and deals with the typical travails of childhood like his parents' divorce, bad stepparents, falling in love, finding his artistic voice, and fighting with his bratty older sister. Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette co-star as Mason's parents.
Critic Consensus
Critical reception for Boyhood is overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers treating it as a landmark cinematic achievement. Critics most commonly praised Linklater's masterful execution of an audacious project and his ability to capture the texture of everyday life with authenticity and emotional resonance. The film's unhurried, episodic structure drew some acknowledgment of its length and meandering pace, though most reviewers did not consider this a significant flaw. Nearly all critics recommended the film without reservation, with several describing it as a rare and historic moment in cinema.
10 reviews · 7 positive
AI-generated summary of 10 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyCritic Reviews (10)
"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."Read full 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."Read full 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.""Read full 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..."Read full review ↗
"Boyhood is long; it dawdles and somehow ends up fine and independent."Read full 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."Read full 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."Read full 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."Read full 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."Read full 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."Read full review ↗
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User Ratings & Reviews
19 ratings from the community
Community Reviews (5)
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
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...
