Boyhood Dvd

Boyhood is an American coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Richard Linklater, and starring Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, and Ethan Hawke. Filmed from 2001 to 2013, Boyhood depicts the childhood and adolescence of Mason Evans Jr. (Coltrane) from ages six to eighteen as he grows up in Texas with divorced parents (Arquette and Hawke). Richard Linklater’s daughter Lorelei plays Mason’s sister, Samantha.

Production began in 2001 and finished in 2013, with Linklater’s goal to make a film about growing up. The project began without a completed script, with only basic plot points and the ending written initially. Linklater developed the script throughout production, writing the next year’s portion of the film after rewatching the previous year’s footage. He incorporated changes he saw in each actor into the script, while also allowing all major actors to participate in the writing process by incorporating their life experiences into their characters’ stories.

Plot

In 2002, six-year-old Mason Evans Jr. and his older sister Samantha live with their divorced mother, Olivia, in a small town in Texas. Mason overhears Olivia arguing with her boyfriend, saying she has no free time due to parenting. In 2003, Olivia moves the family to Houston so she can attend the University of Houston and get a better job. In 2004, Mason’s father, Mason Sr., visits Houston and takes Mason and Samantha bowling. When he drops the children off at home, he argues with Olivia while Mason and Samantha watch from a window. Olivia takes Mason to one of her classes, introducing him to her professor, Bill Welbrock; Mason sees them flirt.

In 2005, Olivia and Bill have married and blended their two families. They share experiences such as playing video games and attending a midnight release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Mason and Samantha are enrolled in the same school as their step-siblings, where Mason befriends Nicole, who has a crush on him. In 2006, Mason and Samantha bond with Mason Sr. as he takes them out for a day in Houston, culminating in a Houston Astros game and a sleepover at his house. Olivia continues her education and is initially supportive of Bill’s strict parenting style, which includes many chores for the children and an enforced cutting of Mason’s long hair. In 2007, Bill gradually becomes abusive and violent as alcoholism takes over his life. After Bill assaults Olivia and endangers the children, Olivia moves her children (but not her stepchildren) to a friend’s house and files for divorce.

In 2008, Mason Sr. learns that Samantha has a boyfriend and talks to her and Mason about contraception. Mason Sr. and Mason go camping and connect through music, film, and Mason’s blossoming interest in girls. Mason and Samantha have grown into their lives in San Marcos, a town close to Austin. In 2009, Mason is bullied at school and playfully teased on a camping trip but starts receiving attention from girls. Olivia takes a job in teaching psychology at college and moves in with Jim, a student and Iraq War veteran.

In 2010, Mason has started high school and experimented with marijuana and alcohol. Mason Sr., who has remarried and has a baby, takes Mason and Samantha to visit his wife’s parents. For his birthday, Mason Sr. gives Mason a suit and CDs; Mason’s step-grandparents give him a Bible and a shotgun. In 2011, Mason is lectured by his photography teacher, who sees his potential but is disappointed in his lack of ambition. Mason attends a party and meets Sheena, who becomes his girlfriend. After Mason arrives home late one night from a party, a drunk Jim confronts Mason about his late hours. Olivia and Jim subsequently break up, and the family’s financial situation worsens.

In 2012, Mason and Sheena visit Samantha who is attending the University of Texas at Austin, where they share their hopes and fears about college. Samantha’s roommate discovers them asleep together in her dormitory. In May 2013, during the end of Mason’s senior year in high school, he has a painful breakup with Sheena, wins the second place silver medal in a state photography contest, and is awarded college scholarship money. Mason’s family throws him a graduation party and toasts his success. Mason Sr. gives him advice about his breakup. Planning to sell the house and downsize, Olivia meets Samantha and Mason for lunch and asks them to sort through their possessions. Later that year, as Mason prepares to leave for college, Olivia breaks down, disillusioned by how quickly life has passed. At Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Mason moves into his dorm and meets his new roommate Dalton, Dalton’s girlfriend Barb, and Barb’s roommate, Nicole. Mason takes drugs given to him by Barb and the group goes hiking at Big Bend Ranch State Park. Nicole shares with Mason her belief that, rather than people seizing moments, moments seize people; Mason agrees.

Cast

Ellar Coltrane as Mason Evans Jr.
Patricia Arquette as Olivia, Mason Jr.’s mother
Ethan Hawke as Mason Evans Sr., Mason Jr.’s father
Lorelei Linklater as Samantha Evans, Mason Jr.’s sister
Libby Villari as Catherine, Olivia’s mother
Marco Perella as Bill Welbrock, Olivia’s second husband, Mindy and Randy’s father
Brad Hawkins as Jim, Olivia’s boyfriend
Jamie Howard as Mindy Welbrock, Mason Jr.’s stepsister
Andrew Villarreal as Randy Welbrock, Mason Jr.’s stepbrother
Jenni Tooley as Annie, Mason Sr.’s second wife
Richard Andrew Jones as Annie’s father
Karen Jones as Annie’s mother
Bill Wise as Steve Evans, Mason Sr.’s brother
Zoe Graham as Sheena, Mason Jr.’s girlfriend
Charlie Sexton as Jimmy, Mason Sr.’s roommate and friend
Barbara Chisholm as Carol, Olivia’s friend
Cassidy Johnson as Abby, Carol’s daughter
Richard Robichaux as Mason’s boss
Steven Chester Prince as Ted, Olivia’s boyfriend
Tom McTigue as Mr. Turlington, Mason Jr.’s photography teacher
Will Harris as Sam’s boyfriend at college
Andrea Chen as Sam’s college roommate
Maximillian McNamara as Dalton, Mason Jr.’s college roommate
Taylor Weaver as Barb, Dalton’s girlfriend
Jessi Mechler as Nicole, Barb’s roommate