Review of Boyhood (2014) by Peter F — 10 Apr 2016

Boyhood will certainly go down in the annals of film history for simply being the first of its kind (a project 12 years in the making, whose lead actor aged with the production) but the most remarkable thing about this film is how it dares to be ordinary.

Boyhood is free of the dramatic trappings that other coming-of-age films have, but the result is an experience that's far more comforting and relatable. The film does feel like a string of vignettes (not unlike director Linklater's Slacker), but that's also not to say the film's narrative isn't fluid in the most sublime way, and its ultimate payoff comes out in how it's a big picture about the little things in life, be they sad or funny, quiet or loud, or ephemeral or permanent.

Do I even need to mention how impressive and consistent the acting is too? Hell, we know that the cast were only asked to embody these character for a few days a year, so giving the long production gaps, debut performer Ellar Coltrane may very well end up as the year's under-dog for best actor at the Oscars.

It's not a stretch to call Boyhood the best film about childhood since The 400 Blows, and it's just as likely to be seen as one of this generation's crowning cinematic achievements. Film of the year? I'm already thinking film of the decade!