Boyhood is a 2014 American coming-of-age drama film co-produced, written and directed by Richard Linklater and starring Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater and Ethan Hawke. The film was shot intermittently over an eleven-year period from May 2002 to October 2013 as Coltrane grew from childhood to adulthood. The film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, and was released theatrically on July 11, 2014. The film also competed in the main competition section of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival, where Linklater won the Silver Bear for Best Director. The film was declared a landmark by many notable film critics, with particular praise for its direction, acting, and scope.
Movie Details:
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Produced by: Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland, Jonathan Sehring, John Sloss
Written by: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawk
Cinematography: Lee Daniel, Shane Kelly
Edited by: Sandra Adair
Distributed by: IFC Films
Release date(s): January 19, 2014 (Sundance Film Festival), July 11, 2014 (United States)
Running time: 164 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $4 million
Box office: $25,180,715
Plot:
In 2002, six-year-old Mason Evans, Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) and his older sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater) live with their single mother Olivia (Patricia Arquette) in Texas. One night, Mason overhears Olivia arguing with her boyfriend, saying she has no free time. Olivia moves the family to Houston so she can attend the University of Houston. The children do not want to move and Mason is worried that their father, Mason Sr. (Ethan Hawke) will not be able to find them. In Houston, Mason Sr. takes the children bowling. When he drops them off at home, he argues with Olivia while Mason and Samantha watch from a window. In 2004, Olivia takes Mason to her college class and introduces him to her professor, Bill Welbrock (Marco Perella). Olivia and Bill marry and blend their two families, including Bill's children from a previous marriage. Olivia continues her education and is supportive of Bill's strict parenting style. However, Bill becomes abusive as alcoholism takes over his life. After Bill assaults Olivia and endangers the children, Olivia takes Mason and Samantha to a friend's house and files for divorce. In 2008, Mason Sr. learns that Samantha has a boyfriend and talks to her, and Mason, about contraceptives. He and Mason go camping at Pedernales Falls State Park and solidify their relationship. Olivia, Mason and Samantha grow into their new lives in San Marcos, a town close to Austin. Olivia teaches psychology at college and marries one of her students, Jim, a veteran of the Afghanistan/Iraq War. Mason begins using drugs and alcohol while receiving attention from girls. On Mason's fifteenth birthday, Mason Sr, now remarried with a new baby, takes Mason and Samantha to his wife, Annie's, parents’ home. Mason Sr. gives him a Beatles mix tape and a suit; Annie's parents give him a personalized Bible and a shotgun. Later, Mason attends a party and meets Sheena, who becomes his girlfriend. After Mason arrives home late one night from a party, Jim, who has been drinking heavily, confronts Mason about his late hours. Olivia later divorces Jim. In 2012, Mason and Sheena visit Samantha at the University of Texas at Austin, where they are caught in bed together by Samantha's roommate. During Mason's senior year in high school, he has a painful breakup with Sheena, and wins silver in a state photography contest and is awarded college scholarship money. Mason's family throws him a graduation party and toasts his success. Mason Sr. gives him advice about his breakup. Olivia asks her children to sort through their possessions before she sells the house. As Mason prepares to leave his mother’s new apartment to attend Sul Ross State University, Olivia breaks down crying, feeling she has nothing left now her children have grown up. At college, Mason moves into his dorm room and meets his roommate. He invites Mason to go hiking at Big Bend National Park with his girlfriend and her roommate Nicole, who gives Mason a pot brownie. Nicole asks Mason if people seize moments or if moments seize them. Mason replies that they are always in the moment.
