Boyhood Parent Guide

Why is it that when someone needs psychiatric help, the doctor always begins by asking him or her about their childhood? It appears that the experiences of those developing years really do impact a person’s understanding of everything in life and the surrounding world.

In Boyhood, writer/director Richard Linklater takes a creative approach to exploring this formative stage. Asking for a twelve-year commitment from his cast members, Linklater began shooting a story about a youngster named Mason (played by Ellar Coltrane) when he was five years old, updating his progress annually until he was eighteen. Although the movie may look like a documentary, it isn’t. Instead, it is a well-scripted fictional tale, and all of the family members are actors. Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke play Mason’s parents, while the filmmaker’s own daughter (Lorelei Linklater) takes on the role of his sister Samantha.

Certainly, the unique method of constructing this film is reason enough to be curious about the end product. Watching Ellar Coltrane (and Lorelei Linklater) grow up right before your eyes is truly amazing, as is the natural aging that occurs for both Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke. The inclusion of other actors that make periodic appearances over the dozen years as extended family and friends, also lends authenticity to what often feels like watching someone’s home videos (except these vignettes capture more pivotal moments than just birthdays and holidays). Meanwhile, a story emerges from this collection of clips in much the same way as an image materializes from the tiny pieces that make up a mosaic.

Despite its length (almost three hours), Boyhood is quite engaging. First introductions to Mason show a child growing up in a broken family, where Mom provides the stability and Dad offers fun on the weekends. As life evolves the kids get shuffled from city to city, school to school and home to home. Both Mom and Dad find other relationships, some more successful than others. Mason endures bullying and domestic abuse (as do some of the other characters). And as a teen he keeps his personal life private from the adults in his world, while he experiments with alcohol, drugs and sex. (Substance abuse and drug use are shown, along with kissing and implied sexual relations. Expect some strong language and sexual discussions too.)

Although Linklater’s time capsule (which includes music, pop culture and historical events occurring during the years he shot the film) may be most notable for its gimmick, how audiences react to it will likely have a lot to do with their own upbringing. While some may relate to the insecurities children experience due to their parents’ decisions, for me Boyhood was a tragedy. Having enjoyed happy, confidence-building relationships within my own family, it broke my heart to see the character of Mason having to rely on his own youthful judgment because he lacks a trusted source of mature wisdom. (I can only hope the real Ellar Coltrane faired better over the same twelve-year period.) I’m not sure what message Linklater hoped viewers would take away from this movie. Perhaps he just intended it to be an observation of childhood. For me it rang more as a cautionary tale for parents. After all, no man is an island—so whatever choices we make, we should expect them to have long-lasting consequences for our offspring.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.