It follows a 6 year old boy (and his family) growing up in a broken home up until the age of 16, all while contemplating existence, love, friendship, fear and all the lessons learned that make up a human being's journey into adulthood. It focuses on each year for 10-15 minutes each before jumping into the following year but never goes for deep impact, instead gently taps into a naturalism that makes it all the more memorable. Linklater was wise to use the exact same cast for the full 12 years, allowing us to watch the mother & father (wonderfully played by Patricia Arquette & Ethan Hawke) develop as well, which make for some profoundly heartbreaking & warming scenes as well. On the outside it might seem a bit aimless at times but when it all comes to a close, you realize not a moment was put to waste or tossed into fill time. It's simply Linklater's masterpiece that speeds by right before your eyes.
4 solo Beatles out of 5
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