Steve Reviews Boyhood

Boyhood is this decade's Return of the King, and I give it the same odds.

"Why, Fraz?" you ask. "Is it really only the last third of a longer film?"

Well, no. It does have its own beginning, middle, and end.

"Must be because it's 45 minutes too long, then?"

You have a point, but also no.

"I give up. Tell me why Boyhood wins Best Picture when it clearly shouldn't"

Because, my friend, the Academy awards time and effort. If one story takes multiple years to create, it is viewed through rose-colored glasses, regardless of content. Best Picture should not be a pat-on-the-back award. Best Picture should represent excellence. Boyhood was not excellent. It was poignant and touching at times, for me at least. But so was Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. It was a creative and ambitious way to tell a story. But so was Memento. Both of those films could have been Best Picture nominees and would have had my full support as winners. Boyhood, like LOTR:ROTK, will win because it took a long time. Shame on you, Academy.

I'd like to point out that Boyhood doesn't actually have a story. It is 12 years of fiction using the same actors showing a boy growing up. While this is a fantastic gimmick that deserves recognition, I would like to think the Academy members would see past the smoke and mirrors and take it as such.

Regarding the other awards it will win: Richard Linklater has a 100% chance of winning. He took a chance on this thing, and it worked. He had an idea (not a story, mind you. Please take note Michael Bay) and he constructed something that is, when looked at for what it is, pretty amazing. He even cast his own daughter. If that's not self-serving Oscar bait, I don't know what is. Also, Patricia Arquette seems destined to win for Best Supporting Actress. She did not do much to impress me. She played a mom - and by the way, she has claimed multiple times in the past month that becoming a young mother was what helped her decide to take this role – so she actually just played herself. Actually, nevermind. We've done this before. Please reference American Beauty for how to win an Oscar playing yourself.

I feel like I should say that I did enjoy the film. I felt a personal connection and great sympathy for the boy at times (but that is a different article for a different day). That being said, I hope that Boyhood does not win. But it will. And I really hope they get Peter Jackson to hand out the award. That would really make for a perfect night.

-Steve
8.23.2014