Boyhood review: Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is arguably one of most unique films, shot over 12 weeks
Boyhood review: Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is arguably one of most unique films, shot over 12 weeks
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SAT, JAN 25
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Boyhood
Movie by Richard Linklater · 2014
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Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is arguably one of the most unique films ever made, shot over 12 years with the same cast, as the actors actually aged in real time. The film follows Mason (Ellar Coltrane) from childhood into young adulthood, capturing his transformation not through makeup or CGI, but through the organic unfolding of life itself. It's a cinematic experiment like no other, and that's reason enough to watch it.
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But it’s not just the novel production process that makes Boyhood worth seeing—it’s the way it explores universal themes of family, identity, and the quiet moments that shape us as a human.
Linklater’s decision to film a few scenes each year gives the film an authenticity you won’t find in most coming-of-age stories. You watch Mason grow and change in real time, and it’s almost like watching someone’s life unfold before your eyes. For anyone who’s ever been moved by the idea of time slipping by too quickly, Boyhood feels both profoundly personal and universally relatable.
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On a technical level, the film’s understated style works perfectly with its concept. Linklater’s direction is patient, allowing scenes to breathe and allowing the actors to truly inhabit their roles. The cinematography, by Lee Daniel, feels unobtrusive but effective—often framed in long, wide shots that focus on natural moments rather than flashy visuals. It’s a subtle, almost documentary-like style that helps immerse the audience in the characters’ lives.
The score, by the late Graham Reynolds, also deserves a mention—simple and reflective, it complements the film's tone without overwhelming it.
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While Boyhood is groundbreaking, it’s not perfect.
Its slow pace may feel overly drawn-out for some viewers, especially those accustomed to faster-paced narratives. There are moments that might feel repetitive or lacking in dramatic tension—this isn’t a film with an overarching plot, and some may find that lack of direction frustrating. The film’s episodic nature means that some of Mason’s experiences can feel disconnected, with certain years and events feeling more like brief snapshots rather than key turning points in his development. While this mirrors real life, it may not offer the same emotional highs that a more structured story might provide.
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What Boyhood does exceptionally well is make the mundane extraordinary. It captures the quiet power of time passing, and the small moments—like a family dinner or a conversation with a parent—that shape who we become.
Linklater’s experiment in filming over 12 years is, in itself, a reflection of how life, though often uneventful, continues to move us forward, year by year.
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Ultimately, Boyhood may not be for everyone, but for those who appreciate films that take their time and offer something truly different, it’s a remarkable achievement that will stay with you long after the credits roll.