"Boyhood" - an exceptional experiment

What is so special about the movie "Boyhood" that I decided to write about it even though it is not connected with my BA paper? The movie was shot over 12 years. The director, Richard Linklater, decided to show the process of growing up of a boy from 6 to 18 years old. Such movies were, of course, shot before, however the director’s idea to realize the film from 2002 to 2013 was extraordinary.

It is a perfect record of human life. Those who are expecting some typical ‘teen movies’ motives would be disappointed. The main character is growing up in front of us but he is an ordinary, even  a bit boring, American boy. We do not see him taking drugs, making an amazing career or dating millions of girls. We actually accompany him in the way from his childhood to being an adult. We meet him unexpectedly and leave him like that. It is like observing a passer-by on a street.

We meet Mason (Ellar Coltrane) when he is 6. As a younger child of a single mother he spends a lot of time with his sister and friends. His life is being planned and managed by his mother (Patricia Arquette). Because of her the family moves to Houston. Because of her the kids become a part of a patchwork family with an abusive step-father. Because of her they have no place to live in some moment of their lives. However we can observe a strong tie between the mother and her kids. The father (Ethan Hawke) is also present in kids’ lives although he is not living with them. He entertains and educates them in a gentle and funny way.

I think I find this movie so special because it tells the story of a teenager from my generation. My childhood was similar, not in terms of family life, but considering toys, clothes and movies of that time. It is a kind of story in which everyone can find oneself.   

Picture:  http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4108897280/tt1065073?ref_=tt_ov_i