As one of the most nominated movies at this year's Academy Awards (6 noms!), the Best Picture Oscar is basically Boyhood's category to lose—especially coming off its big win at the Golden Globes.
Not only has it found a way to reinvent the movie-making business by taking 12 years (and technically just 45 days!) to film one (nearly three hour) flick, Boyhood has also received almost entirely positive reviews from film critics—it's at 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes!
Boyhood is a coming-of-age story, showing the growth of Mason and his older sister Samantha from childhood to adulthood. Through these transformative years, we see just how life's experiences affect us physically, mentally and emotionally. Though we don't see these changes in our lives, it's stunning to see a slice of life up on the big screen. Here are the moving lessons we took away from Boyhood.
1. Life doesn’t give you bumpers.
Who knew an innocent game of bowling with your dad could give you one of the greatest lessons of life? Mason probably wasn't expecting this afternoon with dad to go so deep. It's the hits and misses, highs and lows, failures and successes, gutter-balls and strikes that combine together to make us who we are meant to become.
2. Change is good.
Even when it feels like the worst. Moving away as a kid and leaving your friends is hard, especially when it's the only life you knew. But a new start should never be squandered. When Mason moved cities and schools at ages six and 13, he was able to figure out where he fit in. It is obstacles like these that challenge you to find your footing and learn more about yourself and what you can overcome.
3. Natural talent means nothing without hard work.
As a teenager, Mason found a passion for photography. His teacher recognized this natural gift in Mason, but reminded him that if he didn't put in the work, commitment and discipline to improve, the talent would be wasted.
4. A bad haircut can be incredibly traumatizing.
Our hair is an extension of our personas—it's just one of the many ways we're able to customize our look and how we want people to see us. So when Mason's abusive stepfather forces him to shave his head, Mason is in shock. He’s temporarily lost his sense of self.
5. You will never have all the answers.
Sometimes life is hard, confusing and make you feel like you don't know what to do. For Olivia, who realizes she must leave her abusive and alcoholic husband, she's thankful she can save her two kids from a horrible situation. But to leave her two step-kids who she had grown to love with their dad, there are no magical buttons to push that will help them or relieve her from the guilt of driving away.
6. Seize the moment.
Opportunities are all around. From falling in love to finding your path to success, it's up to you to accept what presents itself to you. Mason was often a "yes" person—saying yes to jumping in the river with his dad during their camping trip, going on the hike with his college roommate, and staying up late to watch the sunrise. We'd guess these are experiences he's thankful he had.
7. And let the moment seize you.
Life is full of surprises. You can never let moments take your breath away unless you let go of all control when those moments happen. That's the magic of life.
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