Boyhood

Right now you can watch Boyhood in the US on Netflix and Hulu — and it holds up to as much attention as you give it. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 5,547 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Ellar Coltrane anchors it with a performance that rewards close attention. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Boyhood is worth clearing space for. The writing in Boyhood treats its characters as people first, plot devices second. The film tells a story of a divorced couple trying to raise their young son. The story follows the boy for twelve years, from first grade at age 6 through 12th grade at age 17-18, and examines his relationship with his parents as he grows. Ellar Coltrane and Patricia Arquette lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It hit screens in 2014. The performances in Boyhood do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Viewers drawn to character-driven storytelling will find plenty to sit with in Boyhood. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Ellar Coltrane is the centre of it, and it is one of their strongest performances on record. The patience it asks of you early on is paid back with interest.