I love being blown away at the movies. This film delivers that in spades. So entirely enchanting, refreshing and truthful, Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater‘s BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason’s parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater ( the director’s daughter) as his sister Samantha, BOYHOOD charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay’s Yellow to Arcade Fire’s Deep Blue. BOYHOOD is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting. That’s straight from IMDB as I couldn’t say it better myself.

Having had two sons in my first marriage, and experiencing many of the scenarios played out in this film, I was utterly captivated and thrilled to watch the film with my 14 year old son, with whom I shared many knowing glances during the nearly 3 hour long journey.

Absolutely profound – an indie masterpiece.

5 Stars.