The LosAngeleno went to a PGA sponsored pre-opening screening of Richard Linklater’s movie ‘Boyhood’ today. The screening was followed by a Q&A with Director Richard Linklater, IFC Movies President Jonathan Sehring and Producer John Sloss. During the Q&A we learned among other things, the following:
- Shot over a period of 12 years with 39 scheduled shooting days. Potentially the longest lasting movie shoot ever.
- A crew of more than 400 over the 12 years.
- Shooting budget of around $200,000.00 a year.
- ‘Only’ 2 directors of photography on the project.
- The script was fluid, when the anticipated rocker-dream was replaced by an interest in photography by the actor playing the boy, the script was changed.
- Richard Linklater chose to shoot the movie on 35mm film because he likes shooting on film, and it seemed like the most enduring media at the time shooting started.
The movie stars Patricia Arquette as the Mother, Ellar Coltrane as the boy Mason, Ethan Hawke as the ‘weekend’ father and Lorelei Linklater as the sister. The acting is overall very good, but without taking anything away from the grown-ups, the kids are really the ones that shines here. Ellar Coltrane is just perfect for the part. He was handpicked when he was just 7 years old, Richard Linklater really nailed that choice! He may also have had a little luck in that there were no real ‘mishaps’ in the growing up of the child actors that affected the making of the movie. Richard Linklater’s daughter Lorelei who plays the sister was also a very good choice. Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke gave such a convincing performance of the parents who had children when they were too young, and all the struggles that comes with, you felt like you were really a part of their struggles on all kinds of different levels.
I think this is a movie that anyone that has ever grown up, is about to grow up or has kids that will grow up should go and see, it may give you something to think about. Or maybe you just want to be entertained for a few hours – that will work too.
I can highly recommend it, it is indeed a very moving 12 year epic!
Release Date: July 11, 2014
Rated R for language including sexual references, and for teen drug and alcohol use
Running Time: 164 minutes
Website: www.boyhoodmovie.com