The Reel Review
The fact that this movie, filmed over 12 years, allows you to see a young boy and his sister grow up and their divorced parents grow into middle age in real time is fascinating in itself. But this groundbreaking time capsule of a film also happens to be one of the most realistic coming-of-age movies ever made, which should result in a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for writer/director Richard Linklater and a Best Supporting Actress statue for Patricia Arquette, for her spot-on portrayal of a single mom struggling to make a better life for her kids and manage a well-meaning but worthless ex-husband (Ethan Hawke). The film is long (close to three hours) and arguably plotless (like much of life) but seeing the effects of key life choices and the big impact of those seemingly small moments in life makes this little indie film truly special.
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