Analysis Of The Movie 'Boyhood'

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INTRODUCTION

“Mason: So what's the point?
Dad: Of what?
Mason: I don't know, any of this. Everything.
Dad: Everything? What's the point? I mean, I sure as shit don't know. Neither does anybody else, okay? We're all just winging it, you know? The good news is you're feeling stuff. And you've got to hold on to that.” (Boyhood,2014)

Time goes by fast. And every second that passes by is us drawing closer to the end. What then is the purpose of life? Is our struggle for success worth the effort? Does it truly make us happy? This review attempts to critically analyse Boyhood, a coming of age movie that pushes us to question the blur of life and the race that we have turned our lives into today.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

MASON: the central protagonist, …show more content…

is a divorcee husband. At the beginning of the movie, he seems to be a rather irresponsible, childish man. Without a job and a proper earning or a home to call his own, he is the typical free spirited, happy go lucky guy. He desperately wants to be a part of the kids’ lives and he takes huge amounts of pain to come off as the fun dad. It is very evident that he loves his children wholeheartedly as he travels miles in order to spend time with them. He has no custody over the children but Olivia and Mason sr. on the whole get along very well throughout. He is quite a steady character and the movie also captures well the way he, despite already being an adult, slowly matures in …show more content…

My life is just going to go. Like that. This series of milestones. Getting married. Having kids. Getting divorced. The time that we thought you were dyslexic. When I taught you how to ride a bike. Getting divorced... again. Getting my masters degree. Finally getting the job I wanted. Sending Samantha off to college. Sending you off to college. You know what's next? Huh? It's my fucking funeral! Just go, and leave my picture!” (Boyhood,2014)

Peer pressure: Peer pressure too is constantly stressed upon in the movie. The children constantly change their appearances from time to time. When Mason’s head is shaved he refuses to go to school as he is afraid of humiliation. He is later bullied in school. The effect of appearances and acceptance is most evident in Samantha. Her peer group is her priority and she takes utmost pains to remain within it. Her discomfort about moving is evidence to this fact.
Society’s expectations: Our entire lives are built around this very crucial factor. Society often dictates what we should and should not be, and on the way stifles dreams and voices that could have changes lives. We are too often busy being afraid of what the word will think, that we forget to pursue dreams, find oneself, show courage in difficult situations and take the joy and sorrow in stride. Whether we will ever truly break out of this maze, only time will

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