Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Boyhood

All of Richard Linklater’s best films are defined by time. Slacker is essentially one continuous moment over the course of a few hours, Dazed and Confused takes place on the last day of school/first night of summer, Before Sunrise is a 24 hour romance, Tape and Before Sunset occur in real time, Before Midnight is an afternoon and evening of love and heartbreak, and so on. Noting this, Linklater’s new film, Boyhood, is his greatest exercise in time yet. It’s also the most impressive film he’s made, in a career that has spawned several of them. Boyhood is a film that stands to define us. Define who we are now, and who we were then. It’s a living, breathing time capsule that astounds for every one of its many frames.

In 2002, Richard Linklater began telling the story of a boy. A normal boy living in Texas with his determined but struggling mother, antagonistic older sister, and somewhat absent father. Linklater and his cast and crew shot for just a few days, then wrapped production. The next year, he assembled the same exact cast and crew, shot for a few more days, and wrapped yet again. Linklater and his team did this for 12 consecutive years, capturing the organic human changes and natural performances of Ellar Coltrane (the boy, Mason Jr.), Patricia Arquette (the mother, Olivia), Lorelei Linklater (the sister, Samantha) and Ethan Hawke (the father, Mason Sr.). The result is a film literally unlike any ever made. Shot on 39 separate days over the course of more than 4,000 of them, with a production budget of $200,000 per year, Boyhood is experimental filmmaking at its most audacious. There’s so much that could’ve gone wrong making this film, and the fact that Linklater and Co. not only stuck it out, but managed to deliver a masterpiece, is nothing short of astonishing.
Boyhood is also similar to Linklater’s other great films in that it doesn’t contain a shred of plot. There is no grand conflict to overcome, no generic character arc to follow. Life is the conflict, and the emotional arc is ever-changing. Mason is up as quickly as he’s down; shy one year, and comfortable the next. Rarely are sub stories in the film acknowledged after they initially take place (though there are a few specific instances in which they are). We meet interesting and complicated people once, then never see them again. For example, Mason is bullied in a school bathroom one year, but it appears to be a singular act. Such is life. One day, you’re in the bathroom at the wrong time with the wrong guy, and he pushes you into the wall because he can. Maybe it happens to you every day, or maybe you never speak to that kid again. This is the way it goes.

The film is 166 minutes long but could be double that. It coasts by like a day you spent doing something you love. Additionally, I was so pleased to discover that Boyhood isn’t just about Mason Jr. Throughout the film, we watch as Olivia suffers through romantic and financial woes, Mason Sr. matures as much as (if not more than) his children, and Samantha (played by the director’s real life daughter) awkwardly laughs her way through childhood before becoming a beautiful young woman. There are no chapters in the film, no title cards that clearly define the setting. The edits are void of gimmick and appear as they do in life, which is to say, seamlessly.

The movie was captured in its entirety on 35mm film, an essential component in helping Boyhood sustain its natural flow. It would’ve been cheaper, faster and technically easier to shoot using digital technology, but the quality of digital technology in 2002 was horrendous compared to what it is today. Linklater is certainly no stranger to digital filmmaking (Waking Life, Tape, A Scanner Darkly, and Before Midnight were all captured digitally), but if Boyhood was shot digitally, it would’ve looked very different from year-to-year. Because it’s shot on 35mm, the glorious opening image looks as aesthetically pleasing as the splendid closing frame. In many ways, the film stock is as much a character of Boyhood as the actors. Using the same actors for 12 years gives the film a distinct fluidity unlike any ever made. Using a consistent film stock only heightens the flow.
Typically in my reviews, I like to highlight one or two scenes from the film that had an impact on me. Moments of poignancy and grace; inspiration and achievement. If I did that here, I would likely describe each scene from Boyhood. Every scene is important, every moment significant. Like the tense and unpredictable dinner that slowly grew into a thing of sheer terror; the restaurant manager who moved me to tears with his gratitude; the pre-college conversation with Olivia that is not unlike an exchange I once had with my mother; and the bar stool chat with Mason Sr. that parallels talks I’ve had with my father. You know that initial bit of unease when you hear your own voice, or see yourself in a video? That’s how I felt watching this film. It so mirrored my own life experiences that it actually made me uncomfortable at times. But if you listen to yourself enough, your unease fades. You settle in and accept that this is me, here. I’ve spent my life watching and studying films, and I can honestly say that I’ve never had a viewing experience remotely similar to the one I had with Boyhood. This is a revelatory movie that redefines what film can do.

Movies don’t change. But on rare occasions, the significance of specific films is heightened due to our life experiences. We appreciate aspects of the film that we never noticed before, and identify with characters in new and profound ways. Right now, I identify with Mason, but as a grow older, I imagine I’ll get a better understanding of Olivia and Mason Sr. as well. Boyhood will evolve with me for as long as I allow it to. Which will certainly be for the indefinite future. A+

You May Also Like

47 comments:

  1. Woo hoo! I can't wait to see this! I predicted it would be my #1 film this year in a post a few months ago. Right now I consider Before Sunset to be Linklater's masterpiece, but this might just top it. We'll see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're gonna love this one man. Really. It's a true masterpiece of the medium. I can't say enough great things about it.

      Delete
  2. Yeah, man! I couldn't possibly be more excited about this. It really seems such a real, ambitious and unforgettable movie experience. I'm a huge fan of Linklater and I never expect from him anything less than a towering achievement. And he never, NEVER let me down. I've also met him and he's a really cool guy. He's a brilliant filmmaker and "Boyhood" looks something truly special.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SO cool that you've met him. He seems to have a really laid back, easy going way about him, which is rare in the film industry. And he makes such truly excellent films. I love many of them, but I say with complete confidence that Boyhood is his best. I can't wait to hear what you think of this one. It's remarkable.

      Delete
    2. The man is truly as easy going as they get. I've really never seen something like that in a filmmaker, let alone a filmmaker of his caliber. I'm from Greece and I've met him last year at Athens Open Air Film Festival premiere, where "Before midnight" was screened. I had the pleasure of talking to him for quite a while and he really seems a calm, warm and cool guy, who likes to keep it real and hear his fans' view on his movies. I need to say "Boyhood" right away after hearing from you that you can say with complete confidence that it's his best work to date. So excited about this. Unfortunately, I have to wait until September 18, when it his the big screen in Greece. But I also have a feeling that it might be his greatest film.

      Delete
    3. * I wanted to write "I need to see "Boyhood" right away" and not "say "Boyhood" right away", sorry (haha)

      Delete
    4. That's great man, I love hearing stories like that. It's so comforting when famous people we admire are cool and nice people in person. Bummer that you have to wait that long for Boyhood, but I promise it's worth it. My god, what a film.

      Delete
  3. I am so jealous that you have seen this lol. The theater near me hasn't started playing it yet and I can't wait. I haven't heard a negative thing about this film yet and it sounds like it could be Linklater's masterpiece. The trailer alone is enough to give me goosebumps so I can only imagine the effect the actual film will have on me!
    Also I was wondering about the continuity thing. I didn't know that they shot on 35mm, now it makes sense so thanks for that little bit of trivia!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure buddy! I think you're really going to like this one. It's so rare for a film to match the insane amount of hype it has, but Boyhood certainly does. I was really curious about the continuity going in too, but because it's on film, it really does all look the same. Incredible.

      Delete
    2. This was A-MAZING. I loved every moment of it - and it is easily one of the best films to be released this year. At first I did catch myself trying to spot the gaps between the segments/aging but the story just sucked me in and by the end I could have easily spent another 3 hours with this family.

      And then the experience was ruined by the idiot in front of my who stood up at the end and said, "I wish I had my 3 hours back. We [meaning him and the four people with him] should have seen Transformers." - (sigh) Where's the shotgun when you need it?

      Delete
    3. Fantastic, great stuff man. (sigh) You gotta love the idiotic post-movie banter that follows so many films seen in the theaters. I grew up in a conservative area of Virginia, so I've spent my life listening to people like that bitch and moan their way out of theaters. Thankfully, I don't think I've heard anything of the kind since moving to LA, which is nice. I hope that man sees Transformers 4 and it is everything he wants it to be, and more. Ha.

      Delete
  4. Hey, man. I just wanted to let you know that I'm looking forward to this movie about as much as anything released in the last couple of years. I recall reading something about it just prior to production, and have daydreamed about the finished product ever since.

    To that, I simply wanted to say that I skimmed this review (despite your usual spoiler-free style), but slowly enough to catch this wonderful line, "It coasts by like a day you spent doing something you love."

    That's f--king perfect, Alex.

    Can't wait to check this one out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks man! That really is what it feels like to watch this film. It's such breeze. Just perfect. I'm dying to hear your thoughts on this one, but damn, I'd be hard pressed to think of a single Boo for it.

      Delete
  5. I've been looking forward to this film since I first heard about its production, nearly 12 years ago. Figured the 35mm would factor in nicely and can see how it will hold up to the test of time.


    Haven't gotten the chance to see it yet but I'm even more anxious to see it now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember reading about it too when they first started, and now that it's here, it feels like a dream to watch it. Can't wait to hear what you think about this one, I really hope you enjoy it. It's such a special film!

      Delete
  6. This is one of my most anticipated films of the year as I learned it will come to Atlanta in August as I'm anxious to see this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So great man. I think you'll really enjoy it. Honestly, I can't imagine another film from 2014 topping this one for me.

      Delete
  7. It really is more than a film; it's an experience.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm going to see this next month at the NZ Film Festival - I honestly couldn't be more excited! It just sounds so groundbreaking and incredible. Richard Linklater is truly one of the best working film directors today, I don't know why we don't make a huge deal of that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hell yeah, I completely agree. Linklater deserves to be as famous and well known as any working director today. Truly. But what's so cool about him is that he genuinely doesn't seem to care about fame. He lets his work speak for itself, and what fine work it is.

      Delete
  9. Linklater is a genius, and I think that this will be his magnum opus. Apart from the first trailer, I have also tried to avoid any other reviews or hype about this, but I did skim through your review and I saw your grade and I have to say that my expectations could not be higher! I heard some people found it to be "gimmicky", but I think that it's still a brilliant idea! Unfortunately, this film probably won't come out in cinemas where I live, but nonetheless, I'm still very excited for it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See, I completely 100% disagree that Boyhood is a gimmicky film, and here's why. A gimmick would be to attempt to recreate 12 years in the life of a boy by filming the whole thing in 2013. You could subtly mask the boy's physical transformation with special effects and/or heavy makeup. That's a gimmick. Benjamin Button is a gimmick. Boyhood is dedication and persistence. Gimmick doesn't play a part.

      So, yeah, obviously I'm in love with this film, and I can't wait for you to see it!

      Delete
    2. I agree completely. Have you seen Michael Apted's Up documentaries? They are also quite interesting. I actually liked Benjamin Button quite a bit, but it is a gimmick, no matter how well made.

      Would you say this is your favourite film of the year so far? Because, considering Enemy, Under the Skin, Grand Budapest and others that have come out, not to mention those that are still to come out (Inherent Vice, Birdman, Gone Girl etc.), 2014 is looking to be a real great damn year!

      Delete
    3. I love Apted's Up films. A few years ago, Netflix made them all available to stream, so I sat down one weekend and watched them all at once. Fascinating. And I definitely didn't mean to suggest that being a gimmicky film was necessarily a bad thing. Memento is a gimmick film, you know? They can totally work, if done right.

      I try to stay away from hyperbole and superfluous statements - they really only come back to bite you. But not only will Boyhood be my favorite film of 2014, it's right behind Shame as my favorite film of the decade so far. Truly. It's magnificent and unlike anything ever made.

      Delete
  10. Beautiful review! I can't wait to see this one.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Damn man after this review my expectantions are higher than the empire state. Thumbs up for da blog from germany

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, thanks. Trust me, I'm not one to offer up such ecstatic praise, but this movie totally deserves it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

      Delete
  12. Nice review, man. This is a great film, and while I didn't love it as much as you (I felt Coltrane's performance becoming strained in later years, and I wished it coalesced into something more than observation), you've effectively conveyed why it worked so well for you. The film really is a joy to watch; the fluid cinematography and fantastic soundtrack makes the three hours fly by.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks buddy, I really appreciate that. I get where you're coming from, but for me, I LOVED that the film simply observed. Part of the fun of the film was how it always deviated from what I assumed it was going to do. Films have conditioned me to expect what's coming, Boyhood made me realize that there's still something new to offer.

      Delete
  13. You make me want to see it more! I love all Linklater films so far, and you make me want to see the rest. Before I watch Boyhood, if I can. Excellent review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Andina! It's such a great film. Hope you enjoy Linklater's other work, he's made some truly unique and excellent films.

      Delete
  14. I really want to see this film, I've been reading all about how it was filmed for weeks now but none of my local cinemas are showing it, gutted! I'll have to wait for the DVD release. Great review!
    - Allie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope it makes it your way soon! It's doing great critically and building a steady buzz with audiences, so there is hope yet!

      Delete
  15. I finally saw it, and... oh my god. I'm not normally a fan of coming-of-age films, but this, this is really something special.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love hearing that. I actually adore the coming of age genre, when done right. And this one really worked for me. One of the best films I've seen in a long, long while.

      Delete
  16. I love your review. It's damn impresive this film, but honestly I don't like it so much. My point: If you had the same script and crew as Linklater had, you can make the exectly same film. Its great, yes and I give credit where its need, but maybe you can make it better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fair enough. I get what you're saying. There's nothing sensational about this film, you know? But I still love it.

      Delete
    2. I consider on of the best of the whole year, but, sadly, not one of my favorite ones. I just didn't dig the film so much.

      Delete
    3. Fair enough. Nothing sensational happens in it at all, which is kind of why I loved it.

      Delete
  17. The only really high point to this film is that maybe Mason will meet a girl in train someday. Yeah, I am a fan of the first two Before films. I'll see soon the third one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Before films are so damn good. Three flawless movies.

      Delete
    2. I put my Grandma to watch with me Before Sunrise. After we watch she said she didn't liked it. I asked her why. She said because its nothing sensational in this film. Then I realized that's why I love the Before films. This films feel like real life. Then I watched again Boyhood and now I am sure I love it. Now its my second favorite of the year. Love all the seconds I spend watching the film. The biggest Oscar contender.

      Delete
    3. Definitely man, Linklater loves capturing real life. Really, he's one of the few major American directors who consistently does that.

      Delete
  18. A seemingly limitless stream of pure empathy runs through Richard Linklater's transcendental movie event/social experiment/life-affirming headtrip Boyhood.

    ReplyDelete