Time Really Doesn't Fly

"Boyhood" is one of the most clever ideas conceived for a movie.   

Too bad they actually made it.

You may have heard about the premise several months ago when the film was first released.   Writer/director Richard Linklater assembled a cast way back in 2002 and proceeded to film them at intervals over the next eleven years.   You'd see the characters actually age as this dysfunctional family changes over time.  

Got you hooked, right?

Well, the hero of the piece is young Mason Jr., whom we meet when he's around 6 or 7.  He's got the standard obnoxious older sister and the standard put-upon single mom, trying to juggle kids and career.  The two children regularly see their dad on weekends and all that usual awkwardness is on full display for us to see.  

Over time...and I do mean time...Mom evolves into a successful college professor but winds up in not one, but two abusive marriages.  Meanwhile, Dad takes the kids to fun things like a Houston Astros game (Roger Clemens is pitching so this has to be 2004 or 2005) and a bowling alley.   He certainly hasn't put his life together well, either.  All through it, Mason Jr. tries to mean his own daily challenges.   All the typical angst and drama associated with...wait for it...boyhood.

You can get to see the kids age and go through awkward hair styles.   You see growth spurts.   You watch the wrinkles on Ethan Hawke as Dad multiply.   You witness Patricia Arquette as Mom adds chins to her face.  You bounce from year to year to year.   And it's also fascinating on a visual level.

The only problem is that nothing really ever happens.  There really is zero story in "Boyhood."  Oh, sure, the louts that Mom picks for new hubbies add some spice to the proceedings.  But, essentially, it's her struggles to make ends meet.  And Dad's challenge to pick them the kids up for weekend visits.  And the childrens' seemingly ongoing task of admitting to a new school.

Yawn.

I'm not sure how worthwhile it was for Richard Linklater to work on this for twelve years of his life.  A clever gimmick doesn't always give us a compelling film.   Maybe he should have called it "12 Years a Slave" because that's what it did to his career.   And it unspools for nearly three hours of our lives.    Yep, folks, "Boyhood" plays out over 167 minutes.   It seems like almost a lifetime.   And, in a way, it is for young Mason Jr..

As ambitious as "Boyhood" is, it's also that uncompelling.

LEN'S RATING:  Two-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Finishing up the Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing.