Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unique, affecting, mature drama about life and growing up.
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Why Age 15+?
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Boyhood
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 21 parent reviews
Based on 36 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a unique and touching exploration of growing up that effectively captures the passage of time through its twelve-year filming process. While many appreciate its realism and character development, some find it slow-paced and boring, with significant profanity and mature content prompting warnings for younger viewers.
- unique storytelling
- character development
- slow pacing
- mature themes
- strong language
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In BOYHOOD, Mason (Ellar Coltrane) literally grows up on camera, from age 5 to age 18. During this time, he faces life's little triumphs and tragedies, starting with divorced parents. His mother (Patricia Arquette) gets married again—to a man who becomes increasingly drunk and abusive. Eventually Mason, his mother, and his sister (Lorelei Linklater) must make their escape and start life anew. Mason's father (Ethan Hawke) visits every so often for ball games, camping, and giving haphazard advice, while Mason encounters bullies, girls, and an interest in photography. When he goes off to college, Mason discovers that life is full of possibility.
Is It Any Good?
Director Richard Linklater accomplished something visionary with this poignant and unique film. Boyhood was made over the course of 11 years, beginning in 2002, and Linklater filmed Coltrane each year, whenever scheduling allowed, adding to the script a bit at a time. The result is a true existential experience, a masterpiece. It's not driven by plot—it can't return to pick up past plot threads—but rather by life itself.
But Boyhood is far from a reality show or documentary. Linklater's thoughtful dialogue abounds, and the characters are constantly thinking and asking questions about their lives. Certain memories are never recovered (the promise of a GTO), and losses are never regained (the fate of the step-siblings), but characters learn from mistakes and pain and continue to move forward. The film has dozens of magical, memorable moments, from the early description of how wasps are made to a special Beatles mix CD. It's nearly three hours long, but it moves by nearly as quickly as life does.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the lessons learned in Boyhood. What disappointments or failures did characters have to overcome? How did they overcome them, and how did it alter their life view?
Teens occasionally experiment with drugs and alcohol in Boyhood. How does the movie view these sequences? Is it right or wrong for teens to experiment? What are the consequences, if any, of these actions?
How does the movie portray difficult topics like alcoholism and domestic abuse? How much is shown, and how much is implied? Where might you turn if you or someone you knew was experiencing either of these things?
Did you have any difficulty watching a movie of this length and with this format? How is it different from more mainstream movies? What are some of the positives of approaching a movie this way?
How do characters show perseverance, empathy, and courage? Why are these important character strengths? How do they help the family to get through difficult times?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 11, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : January 6, 2015
- Cast : Ethan Hawke , Patricia Arquette , Ellar Coltrane
- Director : Richard Linklater
- Studio : IFC Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time : 166 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language including sexual references, and for teen drug and alcohol use
- Awards : Academy Award - Best Picture Nominee , Academy Award - Other Category Winner , Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : August 10, 2026
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