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Boyhood. A beautiful and moving story about the passage of time
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Twelve years ago Director Richard Linklater wanted to be involved in a unique film project when he planned to combine fiction time with the protagonists' real time. So, for twelve years Linklater and his team has met to continue shooting a few days a year. The risks were too high because adverse changes could happen with the actors and the rest of the group during this long period. However, the result is a beautiful, haunting and moving story where he masterfully fuses the fiction and life to explain the passage of time in a family. It is a story about the moulding and demolishing power of the family, but also about its powers as a builder of sweet and pleasant moments.
During 165 minutes of projection, we witness the various stages of a divorced couple and their two children. We have a mother (Patricia Arquette), who struggles for bringing up their children, for her studies, for her job, but also against her turbulent private life. And there is the father (Ethan Hawke), who has an unconventional life, but nevertheless knows how to transmit all his energy and love to his children. And, we witness mainly the difficult journey of the two sons (Lorelei Linklater and Ellar Coltrane) who follow the path from childhood to adolescence. They show us their illusions but also their disappointments and failures. Children are learning and experiencing, and parents act as they have learned and experienced.
The story background is those political events that marked the different moments in the USA: September 11th, President George Bush and Obama candidate elections, etc. All of them are presented without having any pretensions. They are just accurate companion of our life story.
The director does not have to resort to old stereotypes or sugary feelings. Without falling into the facile or unnecessary drama, he knows how to keep the rhythm and force of the narrative. He remains faithful to his style and is aware of achieving excellence is not at odds with easiness and naturalness.
This film is part of an ambitious and risky project. Given the excellent results, I would say that if Linklater did not exist we would need to invent one.
Texts: Núria Farré. facebook@cinemaperaestudiants.cat
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