Richard Linklater's "Boyhood" (aka "The 12 Year Project")

Basq

This looks fantastic. Richard Linklater cast this boy in 2002 and along with him and the same group of actors - Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette etc. - shot a few weeks of footage every year essentially following the boy from childhood to being roughly 18 years old.

It's not a documentary - it's a fictional story but hugely interesting nonetheless!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys-mbHXyWX4

Looper007

didn't Michael Winterbottom do the same thing with John Simm and Shirley Henderson with kids and filmed it over a ten year period. Interesting these projects have the same basic premise of filming in real time should be interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u0VpoO44bI

QikBax

The Guardian recommend not watching the Trailer FWIW.

Can't wait for this. Linklater is on fire at the moment.

johnny_ultimate

jamc wrote: »

The Guardian recommend not watching the Trailer FWIW.

Can't wait for this. Linklater is on fire at the moment.

Linklater is one director who drives me nuts because he's just as likely to make a completely forgettable film as an unforgettable one. His filmography is among the most bizarre and uneven around, and when I see his name attached to a (non Before) project I struggle to feel particularly excited even though he's made a handful of great films. The one thing I will give him absolute credit for is his versatility and ambition, even when the films themselves don't win me over I like that he mixes things up a lot.

As for this, it's an interesting premise and Everyday failed to do anything much of note with something similar so there's potential to be fulfilled for sure. Critical discussions about it have been quite lively so far so despite my earlier comments on Linklater generally, I do look forward to watching this.

johnny_ultimate

An extraordinary tale of ordinariness.

I think it's fair to say that this film would have been worth watching even if it turned out to be a noble failure, all down to the very specifics of its production. But it has transpired to be a fascinating film in its own right, so huzzah!

It's a long old haul and there's a few missteps (like a bizarre, forced scene in a restaurant later on that none too subtlety resolves an earlier 'subplot - i.e. one throwaway scene) but for the most part Boyhood is captivating from beginning to end. It's a warm-hearted and funny tale of growing up that feels truly genuine: a credible, coherent story that sparkles with affection and insight. It's a great film about growing up in the 21st century - the subtle technological advances, cultural nods (a scene where the characters

attend a Harry Potter book launch

is a joy) and other details all accumulate in a really satisfying way. But beyond that it's a more universal story - even if you're a few years or even a few decades off Mason's timeline, the joys and tribulations of growing up are captured in a beautifully potent way here.

Apart from one mid film section

involving an abusive and alcoholic stepfather

, Boyhood is all about one normal boy's life where nothing particularly extraordinary happens. On its own terms, this means many scenes can be quite laid back and lacking in immediate drama. But it's a brilliant 'whole' film, where all the little scenes, characters and details eventually build up to a finished product that is much more than the sum of its parts. No idea how much was planned from the start and what was decided on over the years, but everything comes together nicely. Not many unexpected things happen in Boyhood, but in a way that's what allows it to soars - there's a tonnes of scenes and emotions almost all viewers will be able to connect with, and it's an impassioned and successful attempt to capture the formative years of one boy's life in an intimate and accessible way. It helps that Linklater largely resists relying on 'big events', with many key moments taking place off screen - that means a lot of subplots play out in a more organic and subtle way, without necessarily resulting in a big melodramatic crescendo.

Linklater has become perhaps the only filmmaker of the moment who has reflected the passing of time so acutely over the course of his filmography, and it helps that he has Ellar Coltrane on board. He really does grow up on screen, his personality and performance evolving in a very rich way over the course of the twelve years - early awkwardness segueing to a more confident, complex individual. Ditto Lorelei Linklater as his sister, who would definitely worked just as well as the centre of attention. Arquette and Hawke are also excellent. While a fairly standardised style is employed throughout, you can also feel Linklater's own style quietly evolving over the course of the film. I know during the first few scenes I was prepared for the worst as Linklater was choosing to soundtrack almost every scene with pop music hits from 2002 as a quite of shorthand scene-setting in a far too obvious way. Luckily it's an impulse he mostly abandons after the first year or two. There's a misjudged scene and some awkward exposition here and there (a few father son chats feel more scripted that naturalistic), but mostly it all works really well.

During the last half hour or so, there seems to be plenty of moments where Linklater is tempted to stop rolling as there's plenty of scenes which could serve as a nice cut to black. But Mason's life keeps on going, and luckily everything ends on a satisfying note that also feels like a hopeful ellipsis. Not sure if there's any plan to do so, but it would be fascinating to check in again in 12 years ala Before Midnight. Even if this is the definitive end of the project, though, it's a big success, a big, bold film that mostly lives up to its lofty ambitions

S.M.B.

Where did you see it?

Basq

S.M.B. wrote: »

Where did you see it?

Read in The Independent that it was being shown as part of IFI's Open Day yesterday.

Released in Irish on 11th July according to Scannain.com. Looking forward to it!

e_e

What Johnny said, basically.

I love how subtly the passing of time is captured too. By popular music, movies and trends of the time rather than an episode "2002, 2003, 2004, 2005" approach. It all flowed so well and allows the viewer to find their own feet within the movie's timeline, rather than the film holding your hand. Really involves you in a surprising and personal way like when a 2006 Cat Power song that I love showed up. The film always feels of the moment as opposed to the phony, contrived nostalgia that I find in a lot of coming-of-age movies. A real gem.

unreggd

It's really good. I wasn't as blown away as others, but maybe that was just fatigue from being at the IFI since 9am Saturday morning :P

Defo recommended

e_e

That it managed to hold people's attention for nearly 3 hours who'd been there all day is a sign that it's a very strong film to me.

Adamantium

I'd imagine they were forever in rewrites.

Duke Nukem Forever and FFXV of moviemaking.

Sounds incredible. Since 2002. **** me. I was 11 when this began.
I've never seen this done before in a fiction movie.

Actually I suppose Harry Potter would be similar, but altogether different, considering that is a franchise.

miss no stars

Just saw a trailer for this. Looks really good, can't wait to see this

FortuneChip

I heard about this a few months ago, and thought it looked mighty interesting.
I think the dedication/discipline required for something like this might be enough to make Linklater an Oscar candidate. Just waiting for Paddy to price up the market.

JP Liz V1

FortuneChip wrote: »

I heard about this a few months ago, and thought it looked mighty interesting.
I think the dedication/discipline required for something like this might be enough to make Linklater an Oscar candidate. Just waiting for Paddy to price up the market.

Ellar Coltrane could be a likely Oscar surprise contender for best actor

e_e

I think this movie should bring in a new Oscar category: "Best Bat**** Crazy Undertaking"

miss no stars

So it's out this Friday...

Very few cinemas seem to be listing it as on? Is there a problem with the certification (any I've seen says TBC) or something? Was hoping to go on Friday but can only find it listed in a cinema that's very inconvenient

Basq

Think it's limited release.. am up in Dublin at Little Green Cars on Saturday so might try and catch an afternoon showing in the Lighthouse on Sunday.

e_e

miss no stars wrote: »

So it's out this Friday...

Very few cinemas seem to be listing it as on? Is there a problem with the certification (any I've seen says TBC) or something? Was hoping to go on Friday but can only find it listed in a cinema that's very inconvenient

It's playing in at least 3 cinemas in the city.

miss no stars

I've tried:

Movies at Swords
Odeon Coolock
IMC Santry
The Savoy
Cineworld

None of them seem to have it. Can't understand why the likes of cineworld don't have it on, they've heaps of screens.

I've seen that it's on in Dundrum but that's extremely far out of the way

johnny_ultimate

Lighthouse and IFI have it for sure, of you're Dublin based there should be no issues

And better to support the Lighthouse rather than boring old Cineworld anyway!

miss no stars

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Lighthouse and IFI have it for sure, of you're Dublin based there should be no issues

And better to support the Lighthouse rather than boring old Cineworld anyway!

Thanks, just annoyed that it's not on in ANY of the northside cinemas.

I don't get it, it's a film that anyone who's heard about it wants to see... Why wouldn't all the cinemas jump at it? It doesn't make sense.

Might check out the IFI, tbh I don't like the idea of being alone in Smithfield at night. It's always fairly deserted and despite the steel and glass, it's still not a great area and I don't tend to feel safe walking through it.

QikBax

It will be in the Eye in Galway from the 25th.

Bummed.

e_e

miss no stars wrote: »

None of them seem to have it. Can't understand why the likes of cineworld don't have it on, they've heaps of screens.

There's posters all over Cineworld for it and the making-of trailer played before the movie I went to see today. I'm sure it just hasn't been listed yet.

Check back on the site either Wednesday or Thursday.

miss no stars

e_e wrote: »

There's posters all over Cineworld for it and the making-of trailer played before the movie I went to see today. I'm sure it just hasn't been listed yet.

Check back on the site either Wednesday or Thursday.

Good to know, 3 options now

cloud493

I've got my ticket booked for cineworld

Deco99

Anyone know if it will be shown in cork anywhere? can only find whats on now so far

Mickeroo

Deco99 wrote: »

Anyone know if it will be shown in cork anywhere? can only find whats on now so far

Neither Mahon nor the Gate have it next week

I reckon they will get it in in a few weeks though, this happens regular enough with smaller films like this.

If not the Triskel will surely screen it at some point, but they generally take a while to get films in.

QikBax

Deco99 wrote: »

Anyone know if it will be shown in cork anywhere? can only find whats on now so far

It's not in Galway until the 25th so probably around the same time

cloud493

Hmmm. I did like it. Its quite an extraordinary project. But I did feel it dragged on a bit. My showing was also incredibly noisy which didn't help.

Looper007

cloud493 wrote: »

Hmmm. I did like it. Its quite an extraordinary project. But I did feel it dragged on a bit. My showing was also incredibly noisy which didn't help.

sorry it did not drag one bit it didn't feel like a 2 and a half hour film, it's one of the most beautiful, touching and funny films I ever seen, my showing was noisy with laughter as at times it's a very funny film. the scenes between Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater and Ellar Coltrane through the years are brilliant. Ellar Coltrane is amazing as Mason jnr, in later parts he seems like a character that jumped out of Linklaters debut film Slacker. Ethan Hawke always brings out his best when working with Linklater and it's the same here. Patricia Arquette probably is the most flawed and interesting character as the mother, her relationships with Drunks especially a brilliant and slimy Marco Perella as Professor Bill Welbrock, her second husband usually bring out the darker moments in the film.

It gladly joins Linklaters greatest moments such as Dazed and Confused and Before Trilogy, at this moment I don't know if it's his crowning glory but it's him at his best.

cloud493

Well I thought transformers was too short so don't take me as gospel I dunno, I just wasn't feeling it.

e_e

In fairness they only had 10-15 minutes to cover each year, I think that's part of the reason why it flows so well. Did not feel it drag in the slightest.

cloud493

Well they skipped a few years didn't they?

e_e

cloud493 wrote: »

Well they skipped a few years didn't they?

Don't think so, there's plenty of ellipses in between the years though. It always felt like the film was moving forward for me which I guess wasn't the case for you.

cloud493

Oh I thought they did. I dunno, might have just been the fact the 2.20 showing at cineworld was full of incredibly loud eejits.

miss no stars

Loved it

Some gombeen decided to walk around on the phone during it though!!

e_e

Wouldn't have happened in IFI/Lighthouse.

cloud493

miss no stars wrote: »

Loved it

Some gombeen decided to walk around on the phone during it though!!

What time was your screening at?

e_e

I'll be seeing this again soon and I'm obliged to pay for such a good film even though I could see it with my unlimited card.

miss no stars

e_e wrote: »

Wouldn't have happened in IFI/Lighthouse.

Probably not, but I was going with my mum and the times in Cineworld suited better.

cloud493 wrote: »

What time was your screening at?

4 on sunday.

K4t

First 20 minutes were ok. Was slightly worried after reading reviews.

Next hour and a half was phenomenal.

Last 45 minutes was just a little too sentimental for my tastes but the soundtrack saved it.

Worth going to for the music alone, especially Arcade Fire whose Suburbs album could have served as the entire soundtrack to Boyhood.

nxbyveromdwjpg

Saw this last night in the Lighthouse. I had not read about it nor seen a trailer or even heard of it before walking in (was hungover and GF dragged me), but wow, never seen a movie like it, 10/10 from me.

vidor

Not loving this as much as others it seems. Love some of Linklater's work and lukewarm to the rest of filmography. I've a feeling that the novelty of it all (as in, filming over a period of twelve years) is influencing a lot of people in their reviews. Then again, who's to say that that shouldn't add to the overall experience. A good few clunky, heavy-handed scenes which I doubt I need to give examples of (one towards the end that actually made me facepalm in the cinema), but there were a few sweet moments scattered throughout so it wasn't all bad.

6/10

cloud493

vidor wrote: »

Not loving this as much as others it seems. Love some of Linklater's work and lukewarm to the rest of filmography. I've a feeling that the novelty of it all (as in, filming over a period of twelve years) is influencing a lot of people in their reviews. Then again, who's to say that that shouldn't add to the overall experience. A good few clunky, heavy-handed scenes which I doubt I need to give examples of (one towards the end that actually made me facepalm in the cinema), but there were a few sweet moments scattered throughout so it wasn't all bad.

6/10

Glad I'm not the only one which was the face palm scene, out of interest?

johnny_ultimate

I'd take a wild guess and say the restaurant scene? It's one of the few moments in the film where I wondered "how the hell did this make the final cut?!".

vidor

That's the one!

cloud493

Oh yeah

S.M.B.

vidor wrote: »

Not loving this as much as others it seems. Love some of Linklater's work and lukewarm to the rest of filmography. I've a feeling that the novelty of it all (as in, filming over a period of twelve years) is influencing a lot of people in their reviews. Then again, who's to say that that shouldn't add to the overall experience. A good few clunky, heavy-handed scenes which I doubt I need to give examples of (one towards the end that actually made me facepalm in the cinema), but there were a few sweet moments scattered throughout so it wasn't all bad.

6/10

I think most people giving high praise to the movie are more than willing to admit that the 'gimmick' is resulting in them glossing over some of the movies shortcomings but who's to say this is a bad thing.

Some of those issues come hand in hand with such an undertaking (the use of non professional actors, the jarring efforts to create the odd bit of drama which doesn't sit right with the rest of the movie etc).

Others might be just bad decisions like the scene mentioned above. Again, in a traditional movie the director would have the option to go back and film some additional scenes to bulk up that plot point but Linklater doesn't have that option here. Maybe he should have left it on the cutting room floor but it did act as a nice bit of character development for Arquettes role.

smellmepower

Saw this earlier,would be a pretty meh film without the gimmick,and Ethan Hawke.

Last 30 minutes were ridiculously cringe-worthy,was like something out of the OC or one of those annoying American teen dramas.

Also thought it was a pity that the drunk professors kids were never heard from again,such a waste.

e_e

It's hardly a gimmick though. It's used to strengthen the narrative by using a real person's development to inform it and create a closer connection to the characters as you watch them grow. I find the currently growing "ah sure it's bad without the gimmick" backlash very reductive.

Also a gimmick tends to mean something tacked on and somewhat arbitrary to garner attention. I highly doubt Linklater with his cast and crew would go through such an enormous undertaking just to get a bit of press attention that would subside at the end of the 12 years. This is a completely personal and ambitious project that should not be reduced just because the press are marketing it in such a way.

e_e

Also regarding the absence of

the professor's kids later on. Found that to be one of the more truthful and poignant aspects of the film. People we've come to like go away never to be seen again, sometimes beyond our control. It could have been an easy melodramatic platitude within the film but the abrupt and intense way it happened was especially affecting to me.