Boyhood (2014)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  166 Minutes 

Rated: R   

Genre: Drama

Director:  Richard Linklater

Starring: Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawke, Steven Chester Prince

IMDB Rank: 7.9/10

Part 1 Time:  90 Minutes 

Part 2 Time:  76 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Dad (Ethan Hawke) picks up Mason (Ellar Coltrane) for the summer prior to high school graduation.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Bye,Honey I’m so glad you we’re born!” Olivia (Patricia Arquette) speaks shouts to Mason as he drives away in Dad’s van.

First line of dialogue on the second part: While speaking to Dad, “So, this is like Annie’s car and you drive the GTO?” states Mason, within Dad’s van.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, Mason has been shaped by both his father and mother (who are divorced) positivity and negativity. As we approach Mason’s teenage years his life, morals, and outlook on life are shaped by the experiences he has lived and will face.

Which part is better? The film is steady and does not display a clear intermission point. If given an intermission point, this would happen as Dad picks up Mason during the summer before his high school graduation. A child’s life is most influenced during early, middle, and some adolescence periods. For this reason, part one is given a slight advantage as Mason is shaped by the abuse and advancement of technology he experiences.

Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette), Best Picture (Nominated), Best Supporting Actor (Ethan Hawke), Best Achievement in Directing (Nominated), Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Nominated), Best Achievement in Film Editing (Nominated).