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  • Essay / Boyhood: A Time Capsule of a Film

    Boyhood is a film directed by Richard Linklater. The particularity of this feature film is that it was filmed over twelve years with the same cast. Boyhood was considered revolutionary in the film industry due to its recording length and cast participation. Boyhood brings something special to the cast, but especially to one of the stars, Ellar Coltrane, who plays Mason in the film. We see Ellar Coltrane growing up on the big screen before our eyes. In the film, we not only see Mason growing up, but also how time passes. You can see the time passing through the use of the soundtrack from start to finish. This gives us an idea of ​​the era and year of filming as well as who Mason was at that time. This film can be nostalgic for the viewer as many may feel connected to certain time periods for the style of the film and the music that is played, bringing back memories. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay Boyhood is a film that is not traditionally scripted. The narrative structure of the film is progressive and cumulative. This film is a time-lapse portrait of Mason growing up from kindergarten to the first day of college. Many key moments happened in the film, such as Mason's first girlfriend, first breakup, moving out of town, parents separating, etc. But later throughout the film, the importance of these moments is appreciated after the fact rather than at the moment of viewing. In many scenes, Boyhood feels like a documentary film, you can't help but identify with the actors because these scenes are so real and close to real life. Many critics argue that Boyhood is compelling because of its reality, but when it comes to analyzing the narrative, the conclusion is that it is neither strong nor well constructed. Richard Linklater showed that there are many ways to tell a story, it is not necessary to know why, how and what tools to use to make the concept effective. “We watch children grow up and adults get thicker and grayer...There is no other work that we can directly compare it to without distorting the history of pop culture. This film is truly one of a kind, as eccentrically unique as Linklater's groundbreaking Slacker. Boyhood is different from any cinematic, throughout the film the viewer waits for this plot twist that will radically change Mason's life, but we never get this twist. This film is just a series of small causes and effects that develop Mason's life and personality until the end of his "childhood". One scene, in particular, is where Mason and his father go swimming and ask him questions about girls, in this scene Linklaters places us in Mason's personal tastes at that time. Mason is in that part of his childhood that is starting to be interested in girls, and doesn't find it disgusting, rather he feels attracted. Through this scene, you can see the last traces of Mason's true childhood. Later in the next scene you see Mason talking to the girls and not just asking his father questions. “For a filmmaker known for the talkiness of his characters, Mr. Linklater has an almost un-American rejection of over-explanation. » We can establish Linklater's style and tone from the beginning of the film. Mason, 6 years old, is lying on the grass and looking up at the sky, he is just staring into space. This scene makes us wonder if Mason is happy? Sad? What is he thinking? There's no obvious facial expression or back-up story to place us in Mason's real-time. Instead of,.