Boyhood **** 1/2

Dir: Richard Linklater

Starring: Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawke

Filmed over a period of twelve years, chronicling the life of one boy from the age of 6 to 18, and with the same cast playing the same roles, Richard Linklater’s latest reverie could be simply dubbed a stunt.  But it is so much more than that.

It is a movie in which nothing much happens yet everything matters. As Mason (the boy of the movie) muses at the end, high on the anticipation of entering manhood among other things and watching the sun set with some new friends, it is the little moments in our lives which pile up, and keep piling up one after another, until something so big is created that we can hardly contain it in our minds. In other words, there is usually no single transformative experience in our lives - it is the sum of our experiences which make us who we are and hence every single moment is precious and important. And Linklater subliminally delivers this so important message with such sympathy and understanding that it takes your breath away.

Along the way we not only get to know Mason (Ellar Coltrane) but also the rest of his family, his sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater, the director’s daughter) and his divorced parents, mum  Olivia (Patricia Arquette) with whom the kids live and dad Mason Sr. (Ethan Hawke), who drifts in and out of their lives.

Olivia is the other main character in the movie - a harried mother trying to make the best of a difficult situation and not necessarily making the right choices. Arquette truly inhabits the part and is certain to pick up an Oscar nomination (probably in the Supporting Actress category though she qualifies equally to be nominated for Best Actress).

Hawke (Linklater’s frequent collaborator) also brings many shades to a character which could easily have been one-note and both the kids are pleasingly natural.

Boyhood has been winning lots of critical appreciation and awards since its release and deservedly so.

Richard Linklater is one of the best filmmakers going around at the moment and I have long been an admirer of his (I love his Before trilogy - Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight) and it is terrific to see him finally get the wider recognition he deserves. See this movie. Now!

Cut to chase: A wonderful movie which quietly packs a powerful punch