Tonight I finally sat down and watched the movie Boyhood written and directed by Richard Linklater, an incredible coming of an age film. I watched this film as another form of research into documentary style films to help inspire or provide guidance for my upcoming film project.

On a personal note I really loved this film, I love the concept the emotional rawness and investment you make within the protagonist Mason and his family. It makes the viewer question and reflect upon their own childhood and just how different circumstances can effect a family. For example marriage, divorce, re-marriage, domestic violence and abuse can brutally effect a child and a family. As the film progressed I was astounded by just how intimate the film was and the details it picked up despite the constant time jumps to progress the film. Things I definitely noticed was the length of the film, which I should of expected considering the duration of filming that Linklater undertook.

There was a lot of elements of Boyhood that I enjoyed and want to channel in my own film project despite the differing nature of my film. I really felt the time jumps between ages in the film to progress the narrative were really smooth and well executed, they felt natural and the mini stories being told at each stage in the film felt finished but the entire narrative was not complete until the end. This is something I will channel in my own film project if I decide to take a chronological direction with the structure of my film, this depends on the footage I get from the tapes. Another element of the film I enjoyed is the way that the film maker positioned the audience as an observer but also showing them such intimate and personal conversations and scenarios that are so unique to a family. I really hope this personal element can shine through my film and invest the audience into the characters throughout the duration of my film.

I would highly recommend this film for anyone who enjoys documentary style films a touching raw and authentic story.