Movie Review: Boyhood

I think my taste in movies is changing. I used to be all about the big summer blockbuster. I still get pumped for them. But I always feel shortchanged. A part of me just wants more from a movie. Make me think. Make me feel. Take me on a journey. Well Boyhood is just the movie I was looking for. Before Jenn and I went to see the movie we walked over and had a great sushi dinner at Blue C Sushi in Fashion Island. We then walked over to the luxury Island Cinema and caught our movie. 

For those that don't know Boyhood was written and directed by Richard Linklater and was filmed for over 12 years. Yes that's right, pieces of the film were filmed over the twelve years as each of the actors and actresses grew up both on screen and in real life. Incredible right? Instead of having to use costumes and make-up to make actors look older, why not just let mother nature take its course. The film direction aside Boyhood is an absolutely stunning accomplishment in film. Its a wonderful movie about growing up. It takes a very dark and often overly serious tone (a familiar trope for an indie film) but does manage to wiggle in enough humor to keep the movie flowing. 

Boyhood comes in just at three hours long, which for a movie filmed over twelve years is understandable. The editing of this movie must have been insane. Even with the long length part of me wanted to see Mason (the main character) continue to grow up. Its an intimate look into this fictional families life, their struggles, their triumphs, and even the more personal moments. The movie brings the full array of emotions and does so in a real and honest way. 

I absolutely loved Boyhood. I think its far and away one of the best movies I've seen all year. I was grinning for almost the entire movie and although I'm not sure I'll ever need to see Boyhood again I don't think I'll ever forget it. A truly remarkable film and one that everyone should go see.