I love the scene at the end with Patricia Arquette when she realizes what life is and she confess that she expected or wanted more of it. It's hard to explain but that was something great!
I like that she realizes the irony of that scene being her last in the entire 12 year process, and the metaphor of giving her son away to the world, as well as this film.
I'm a 22 year old guy, yet I feel somewhat reflected in that scene, and I hate that feeling. My biggest fear in life is getting to be old, fullfilling all my dreams, yet somehow feeling empty. I remember a couple years ago a friend told me this quote "The worst thing that can happen to a man is to not fullfill his wishes or to achieve them all". I thought it was a stupid thing at the time, but now I completely understand it.
A film about growing up, parenting, relantionships, the everyday life of ordinary people, and the social context of the first decade of the 21st century is a film where "nothing happens"? I don't want to imagine what people who say such thing, might say about Alexander Sokurov's Mother and Son, a piece with only two characters and a few settings, about the sorrow of a young man who takes care of his dying mom. Yes, nothing seems to happen. And yet everything happens. And the complain about the lenght of Boyhood (2 hours and 45 minutes) is even more ridiculous. What about the 8 hours of Shoah (Claude Lanzmann's documentary about the Holocaust), Béla Tarr's Sátántangó (7 and a half hours), or Ingmar Bergman's original version of Fanny and Alexander (5 hours).
MARCELO ARIAS SOUTO I would have loved for Boyhood to be 8 hours long. Although I don't question the choice of making it shorter to condense its intensity. It's just that I was fascinated by the movie, the everyday scenes, and I could have stayed there in the theater looking at Mason's life grow and unfold before my eyes forever...
I think people that don't like this film might be uncomfortable with the central theme, which to me is this: we are all just making it up as we go along. That's a scary concept to many.
+MARCELO ARIAS SOUTO Boyhood doesn't get at anything essential whereas a film like Mother and Son does. It's just one of those 'yeah man, that's life, you know, it's messy' type films that are very common in the U.S. You can't even compare the two in terms of general artistry either. Mother and Son is full of incredible images. I can't remember a single shot from Boyhood except for the ones used on posters. As for the length, yeah, it's not that long, but I felt more enthralled watching Satantango and that was much longer.
I love that they have so much to say about the film that you hardly get to ask any questions :) Your Ethan and Rick interviews are always good. So excited to see this!
Wow this interview made me want to watch the movie again. I'll watch it with my mom since the storyline closely matches with a lot of the things we went through.
this interview had me hanging on every word! it feels like im sitting down with them and having an informal conversation about the movie. so wonderful that they both just get "it".
Agreed. 36 years here. Unreal experience watching it the first time. My mom died about three weeks before it was released.. we were planning to watch together, but she was really sick. So this film always hold a special place in my heart no matter. Absolutely incredible how good it is. :)
Patricia and Ethan are two of my favorite actors. Anything they do I will watch with interest. Seeing them together is magic. I loved this movie - and now want to watch it again. This movie also inspires each of us to play the reel in our minds of own journeys - in my case raising a son, for many years as a single dad. Beautiful actors, beautiful story...
This movie was pure magic. It was so moving to feel the emotion of the audience in the theatre - the way they would chuckle at the various pop culture references they could relate to or remembered, or gasp in horror at some things, or sigh in awe… The movie reminds me of the quote "a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death…" I'm so glad that Richard Linklater and the actors involved took the time to create this work of art, this movie will be talked about for quite some time to come…
Kind of interesting how Linklaters mind works in film. Dazed and Confused is about a day in time and Boyhood is about 12 years of time. You can tell he is nostalgic about life and acknowledges how fast life goes by. To capture the times in life that pass you by and either recreate them or depict them like he did in Boyhood just shows you the value he has for the beauty of life and all these moments that exist from start to finish. Every moment counts
The scene of Ellar going off to college, and Patricia's response to it (thinking there was more to life), as well as the "Life doesn't always give you bumpers" scene were some of my favorites in this fascinating movie. I am 24, and graduated from college last year, and I remember the emotional exchange between my mom and I as I "left the nest", moving away to begin my journey into manhood. My mom raised me as a single parent, with a step-dad she divorced after a few years, and my dad coming to pick me up every other weekend, so this movie resonates so deeply for me, as it does for many others.
It was a real pleasure to watch you both. Thank you for that project! And yes, Ethan, you are allowed to age! In fact, it is reassuring when actors age too! :) Thanks again for your participation in that project. LOVED Boyhood. Love it!
Boyhood was one of the most remarkable films I've ever seen. Maybe every few years I see something that moves me and affects me at the level this film does. It's a remarkably honest look at life. Do not miss!
I knew nothing about this film until I watched it on a plane yesterday. What an amazing piece of cinematic history it is. I think Richard should continue this film. Do it again over the next 12 years (but don't tell the world your doing it)
Just watched the movie a little while ago and WOW is all that I can say. You get so invested into the characters that it's crazy. This film is definitely a 1 of 1.
I watched this movie recently and I absolutely loved it. Mostly because I could relate to it, but everything was so subtle and felt so real. It was like watching somebody's actual life more than a movie. I'm sad I just discovered it and couldn't watch it in a theater.
I saw this film last month in Hamburg. I really enjoyed it. This interview with Ethan and Patricia was really great too. It was so nice to hear what they thought, and how they feel/felt about it.
I LOVE in the interview where/when Patricia shares from her heart that when she someday is on her dying bed that she will recall via this work in this film that she was - part of a very well done piece of art, as cinema is the true American art; I really adore her acting and her style; have listened to Patricia Arquette for 15-20 years in interviews and she has been a true, loyal and huge supporter of the lgbt community, long before it became fashionable; something about her very soulful pensive eyes, a touch of sadness, reminds me of another great actress from 40 years ago -Karen Black, sort of a combo Karen Black and Jessica Lange; but of course most certainly Ms. Arquestte is one of a kind, as a true artist is to herself and her fans. I very rarely watch tv, but I did see ie 5-6 years ago some of her "Medium" series segments and was not surprised when she won The Emmy for best actress in a drama series.
I saw this film the other day, and i might rewatch it. To say that nothing much happens in this film, would be a very fair point. But to me that makes the film more honest, its not the tale of an extraordinary family, where the father is a world famous jetsetting brain surgeon, or the mother a lion tamer, race car driver. Its true to life. in a way it reminds me of the Sidney Lumet film Running on Empty. A very simple story, told to perfection. No bells or whistles. And I love DP/30 anyway, but this is a great interaction between them. Bringing to light a few things that might not seem totally clear, and what their characters arc was.
"To say that nothing much happens in this film, would be a very fair point." Really? Compared to what other film? The plot in this film is both extremely clear and extremely dense.
Thomas, do you know what I really love? Besides beer and pizza its being quoted out of context. I clearly said,below the part of my comment that you quoted was "A very simple story, told to perfection. No bells or whistles". Which it is, if you marked out the key moments of the film its very simple. But i like it that way. And i stated that the pacing, and the amount of story they filled the fill with made the film more honest to the story that they wanted to tell. And i totally agree in one way the story is very dense, but equally in my opinion the story is very sparse. Filled with little set pieces here and there. Which i loved, but that goes back to my thing about the story being honest. The film has a confidence that we rarely see now that a story CAN and WILL hold your attention, because it has a story worth telling.
rorrt Linklater has said in interviews that we all think our own lives are interesting and epic but not in a movie way. We've probably all never robbed a bank or been in a car chase yet we know the life we've lived, the relationships we've are stories and lessons worth sharing. That's what he captures in his movies.
Loz Intransit I couldn't have put it better myself. Day by day nothing much happens. But its the culmalitive effect over time, loads happens. And i love the ending. In the end the mother really earned it.
I enjoyed the progression of Arquette and Hawk maturing,the kids evolving into teens etc,and the rest if the cast and keeping it real. Fascinating reality-based film.Fine work all round.Thank you,i get sick of actors looking unreal as they age.
This movie was great in that it so closely depicts my life as a millennial. It's so amazing seeing the same experiences mason went through In my life, just like there are so many kids growing up in the early 2000's who will love this movie because of it.
Ethan is one of the very few passionate people left in the business. It's a great movie and it grows on you. Patricia has a slow motion indifference in her acting that somehow it's captivating and infuriating at the same time.
both of these actors gave wonderful, understated and sublime performances; so glad to see Patricia Arquette win The New York Film Critics award for best supporting actress and the Los Angeles Film Critics Best Actress award, as her stellar performance in this role was a hybrid between leading role and supporting; both actors (Hawke and Arquette) will receive Academy Award nominations; Patricia Arquette should get a best actress Oscar nomination or win the best supporting actress Oscar award if there is any justice
All Richard Linklater's movies are so... telling of who he really is as a person, artist, director, creator, writer. He brings so much perspective into each and everything he's a part of. With Ethan, I mean there's no way you can ever tell it's forced.. He truly enjoys acting; he doesn't treat it like a job (I think he even said it himself, in one of his interviews). And, that's the only way you can continue to love what you do.
replying to the great comment from martinisrael7 -yes I loved that ending scene and line of her character-- as a hard working school teacher -similar to her character- who gave 110% every day for 33 years I totally get that; as many of us do re in terms of life in general
I didn't have any point to relate to (that should be interesting for people with similar stories), but for me the natural feeling of the movie was the thing which moved me the most: like you're taking into a different state of mind and feelings for some time.
Amazing interview! Great comment about Elvis, Ethan! Ethan: you are wonderful, interesting, cute, sexy and beautiful. In Reality Bites and in Boyhood. Boyhood is a masterpiece. Many greetings from Spain / Antonia
I really like Ethan and how he expresses himself, but I felt interrupted Patricia way to much in this interview. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it, but it seemed like every thought that came up in his head was more important to him than anything Patricia was saying.
I really wish I had caught this at a theatre (don't know if it even came to my smallish city in Canada); hope Criterion releases it, it seems wonderful I haven't seem it yet :) Anyway: nice interview as it gives a privileged view of the actor's process, etc.
What's the mini series about the groups of kids as they age? 8, 16, 30? Something like that? There's also This is England which takes place from Shawn being about 11 to 18.
Can't wait for the CRITERION! w00t! As an aside, I really disliked Ms, Arquette's "sort-of, kind-of" undertone that it was unreasonable to think that her character could or would give up on "love" for 18 years to focus on her child / children. When I was being raised, that is exactly what my own mother did. After my father had passed away when I was nearly 2 years old, she didn't go on a single date until I had left for college. Not really sure why that part of the interview irked me so - I guess it just reminded me of today's society and the "me, me, me" culture, where self sacrifice seems to be a rare thing.
I agree that the acting is very naturalistic, but I think there are a few particularly intense scenes that are pretty obviously (or at least hopefully) not a documentary.
P Arquette strongly reminds me of Catherine O'hara ala SCTV. Especially her laugh. Loved her in True Romance; one of my favs. Too bad her train has left the station.
This is a very wonderful movie everyone should see, but my only 2 small complaints with it (please comment) are that there doesn't seem to be a planned end, and my big one is that alcoholism is not more discussed after it causes all the problems. Near the end she should be telling the kids not to even consider touching any drinks or she will lock them up. They should not want to drink anyway after all that happened. But still best movie of the year!
I think you make a really good point, although I can also understand the filmmaker not wanting to turn this into an "issue" film". It's interesting to me that they chose to have both husbands struggle with alcoholism. It made me wonder about the background of Patricia's character. They show her mom (the grandma) in the film but never talk about her father. Did she perhaps grow up in a family where her father drank too much, and therefore she has an unconscious attraction to those types of men? I like the film because there are so many of those background details the viewer is left to consider on their own.
I'm sorry that below this very good interview with Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke about Boyhood, the first thing you read is the nonsensical, ridiculous "exchange" of comments between Victor Santana and myself. My apologies to David Poland, and the rest of the viewers. Enjoy the interview. That's what matters.
You really sound like a crazy person. People can't even see my comment. You gave so much credit to my comment and, I'm sure, if you think this through you'll see it was a simple comment from someone who didn't like the movie. I really didn't want to answer this now, but what kind of person are you? Explaining yourself for people on RU-vid, what is this? And for what is worth, I really liked the interview, but I didn't like the movie. I think now I have to say sorry because the worshipers of this movie can't accept the simple fact that some people won't like it.
Victor Santana Anyone can see the chain of comments between you and me. And I sound like a "crazy person"? "What kind of person am I"? I'm someone who tried to have a civilized exchange with you, and all I got were offensive words, like this new disrespectful comment. I embrace everyone's opinion, particularly when they're based on well-argued ideas, opened to other points of view. I explained why I liked the film, and I gave the link to a good piece of film criticism to see your reaction. What did you do, beside saying "bye"? You kept on repeating that you didn't have to explain yourself, like a broken record. OK, if you don't want to have a serious, adult discussion, that's your right, that's your choice. Therefore, don't make me waste my time with you anymore, would you?
MARCELO ARIAS SOUTO We all get it, you're obsessed with this movie, you've been making comments in almost every video about it. If this movie is so good, there's no need for you to defend its greatness, besides, pretty much everyone loves it, so you're just being redundant. You are the one wasting your own time.
Victor Santana The only one obsessed here is you. At 17:20 of this video, Ethan Hawke says something funny about people who doesn't get this movie: "Wow, you must be fucked up". He's actually making a joke, he doesn't believe that. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If we all thought the same, this would be a boring and totalitarian world. I know very smart people who didn't like the film, and for very good reasons. I've talked to them in a nice way, and I respect their point of view, like they respect mine. But your stand is making Hawke's remark sound serious. You seem to be "fucked up". Stop sending me comments, would you?
MARCELO ARIAS SOUTO I said "I respect your opinion" and I really mean it, but I don't respect people trying to change my mind at any cost. I'm not the one who is fucked up, or I am, it's not that bad, I don't take myself so seriously like you. I deactivated the responses to the post and you kept mentioning me on comments, and I'm the obsessed, OK then, you're always right, right?
Patricia T. Arquette (Chicago, Illinois; 8 de abril de 1968) es una actriz estadounidense ganadora de un Premio Óscar, tres Globos de Oro, un BAFTA, dos Premios del Sindicato de Actores y dos Emmy.