Boyhood

Boyhood is a very unique coming of age film written and directed by Richard Linklater. It was put together over a twelve year period. For that alone, it deserves much praise.  With exceptional performances by Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, and Lorelei Linklater, it chronicles the complexities of the modern family shown through the eyes of Mason Jr. (Linklater).  The experience of watching Boyhood is very much like watching a documentary in ways, but more like viewing a moving scrapbook or video without consciously realizing it.  The passage of time never really feels dated as there are no obvious traditional markers. Yet that's also the unique quality of something like this, in that it forces the audience to also reflect on their own lives during that period and lends itself to much introspection.  Unlike most movies that mark the passage of time in a more obvious manner, Boyhood has a more seamless and patient method in letting the passage of time take the lead  in telling the story.  It's a fascinating way to film and perform, as it obviously bonds the characters together in real life and in a less rehearsed fashion that comes through in the performances.  So in many ways, it's a documentary of the actors themselves personally and professionally and the development of  their characters.  For a 4 million dollar indie film, Boyhood a wonderful and original classic that is groundbreaking on many levels.