Boyhood
2014 · Directed by Richard Linklater
Original language: English
- drama
The story
The film tells a story of a divorced couple trying to raise their young son. The story follows the boy for twelve years, from first grade at age 6 through 12th grade at age 17-18, and examines his relationship with his parents as he grows.
What it’s like
Unhurried, naturalistic light moves through ordinary Texas interiors: kitchens with yellowed fluorescents, sun-warmed car interiors, dusty suburban backyards, and the flat open sky of the plains. The camera stays largely static or drifts gently at waist height, letting scenes breathe through long, unshowy takes, with grain and the soft texture of real-time filming that marks the years passing on faces and furniture. The score is sparse, mostly folk and indie-rock songs playing in cars and bedrooms, with long stretches of ambient room noise. The vibe is wistful and quietly warm, with an undercurrent of unease when adults argue or drink too much. Its pacing is patient and episodic, shaped around birthdays, moves and new schools, and its emotional register is tender and observational rather than dramatic. The central arc is a boy growing into himself while the adults around him keep changing. Intensity is low to moderate: arguments, a drunk stepfather's temper, and some emotional cruelty, but no gore and little overt violence. It suits a slow, reflective evening and fits viewers who want a contemplative, realistic family drama about growing up and parenting.
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