Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Boyhood (2014)

What is it about?

A simple coming of age story of a boy named Mason, as he progresses from a little boy to his freshman year of college.

Who is in it?

Ellar Coltrane - Mason

Patricia Arquette - Mom

Lorelei Linklater - Samantha

Ethan Hawke - Dad

Favorite Scene:

When Mason and his dad go on a camping trip during his early teen years.

Favorite Quote:

"I just feel like there are so many things that I could be doing and probably want to be doing that I'm just not."

"You know how everyone's always saying seize the moment? I don't know, I'm kind of thinking it's the other way around, you know, like the moment seizes us."

Review: 

I'll say this right from the get-go, Boyhood is not a film for everyone. There is no plot, there is no storyline arc, there is no overwhelming drama to hook those that need suspense and thrills in their entertainment. Boyhood is the purest coming of age film you may ever see. Just a profound film that follows the growth of a young boy throughout his youth until his first year of college, and all of the phases and stuff he goes through, external and self-imposed, in between.

What makes this film such a tremendous film is the fact that it was shot over twelve years using the same actors which REALLY lends to the art piece. Seeing Mason grow up connects you to him as a viewer as he and his family change before your eyes. I can't even imagine the amount of production and diligence it must have taken to film this over a decade.

The film is a testament to how we view life, the moments that make us, and the journey that is. If you're a fan of these kind of movies, please go out of your way to see this.

Grade: 4.25/5

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?

Quick Ponder: Talk

They're gonna talk.  What if you just. let. them. talk.  

Working in Higher Ed, Lately

"Working in higher education must be interesting these days, huh?" That question was posed to me by several people who recently learned that I worked in higher education. The recent discourse around the industry and field has certainly shifted in narrative and the overall feel within it. I recently wrapped up my fourteenth (!!) academic year. It's remarkable to think that I've been serving students and following a passion for this long. This is especially the case considering the rising turnover, the documented yearly burnout, and the increasing exodus from the field.  And, yup, there is that whole enrollment cliff combined with the politics that are more present than ever on college campuses.  So yeah, higher education is weird right now. Very weird.  Some quick thoughts : IS IT TIME?  Yes, I have thought about leaving the field several times. Especially, over the last few years. COVID didn't really bother me, but it's safe to say that the world of higher edu...