Struck by the general silence surrounding the 2014 film, Boyhood? It's not recipient-exclusive, is it?
In this modern, laidback take, let's dive into why Boyhood, a film I adore, seems to have slipped under the radar lately. I'll admit it - I called it the bestBest Picture winner of the 2010s (I've since corrected my error, giving that honor to Parasite). Back in 2015, I was rooting for Birdman over Boyhood, but if it wasn't for that year, I'd have preferred Boyhood to take home the prize.
Now, this movie is unlike anything else out there - ambitious, extraordinary, and never-before-seen. A lot of folks believe that Boyhood should have triumphed over Birdman, and while I don't hear many voices championing for this masterpiece anymore, that's just strange, don't you think?
Twelve Long Years To Make - Who Does That?
Boyhood doesn't hold the record for the longest production cycle in film history, but it's still quite an astounding achievement. While Orson Welles' The Other Side of the Wind took a mind-boggling 48 years to complete (and Welles didn't even live to see its release), Richard Linklater's approach seems even more impressive. He captured a child's growth from adolescence to adulthood over the course of 12 years.
When you consider that most directors would simply cast a child, a teenager, and an adult to depict the passage of time, it's clear that Linklater is in a league of his own. Without his unique perspective, Boyhood simply wouldn't be the cinematic tour de force that it is.
No Full Script Here - Just Let Life Take Its Course
You might think the most bizarre thing about Boyhood is its 12-year production, but there's more! Linklater didn't even work with a full script - he just let the movie take its course. He knew where he wanted the story to end, but the rest was improvised. Honestly, who does that?
Compared to the cast of Stranger Things, who have gone through remarkable changes from season one to the latest, this kind of transition is recorded in real-time in Boyhood. Our protagonist, Mason, starts as a 6-year-old, and by the movie's conclusion, he's 18. We see the character move from one home to another as his divorced parents navigate new relationships and relocate, all while witnessing cultural milestones like the Harry Potter release, Obama's presidential run, and more.
Documenting Life As It Happens
One of the most poignant scenes in the film showcases Olivia, Mason's mother, reflecting on how fast life has passed her by as she prepares to send her son off to college. This emotional scene is perhaps the biggest punch of the film for me - it's unlike anything in the movie at first glance, but it's the evolving characters of the parents that truly resonate as time passes.
So, Why Isn't This Modern Classic More Well-Known?
I suspect a combination of factors has led to Boyhood being less talked about these days. The novelty factor has worn off since its release in 2014, and there may be more contemporary films and themes garnering more attention. Furthermore, while Boyhood explores timeless themes, it might not align as closely with current cultural discussions as other films do.
It's possible that Boyhood's cult status, when compared to the mainstream recognition of other works by Richard Linklater, is one reason for its reduced presence in modern conversations. Changes in film consumption patterns and distribution might also play a role, making some films more prominent than others.
In any event, Boyhood remains a powerful exploration of life and growth that merits ongoing discussion. If you feel the same way, let me know your thoughts.
The daily blend of features could effortlessly incorporate a discussion on the cinematic tour de force, Boyhood. This masterpiece, unlike many films, was not only ambitiously extraordinary, but also featured a unique 12-year production process, completely improvised with no full script, capturing the entertainment of real-life transitions, such as the Harry Potter release and Obama's presidential run.
