IFC Productions, Detour Filmproduction,
Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater
Mom (Patricia Arquette) and Dad (Ethan Hawke) have been divorced, but they still want to share raising their young son Mason (Ellar Coltrane) and his sister. This film is Mason’s story, following his life and development (and relationship to his parents) over the years from him as a young boy until he go away to his Freshman year in college. It’s a peek at the family events, changes, challenges, and other happenings during Mason’s young life.
This movie was filmed over a 12 year period using the same cast in order to actually have the people grow older as time really passes. This is a really touching story. Through different years in his life he grows closer to one parent or the other as dynamics change as people change. As you would expect, Mom does most of the child rearing, and Dad comes in on the weekend to treat the kids and bring presents much to the dismay of Mom. We literally get to see Mason grow up before our eyes as the years pass. One warning, this is a LONG movie. It runs almost 3 hours and you might do well to break this up into a couple viewings. Also, there is not a particular beginning or end, nor is there a real point to the story. This project is more about peeking in and watching the changes in everyone as the years pass. Sometimes it annoys me when there is no point, but just a camera pointing into someone’s lives. In the end, Mason goes away to live in the dorm in school, and the credits just roll. But on the other hand, this film has a very interesting concept to begin with, so it didn’t annoy me so much to just have it end without an point. I started this movie late in the evening, and stuck with it all the way to the end. I found it very interesting and was very caught up in the changing relationships. This is a very unusual movie, and is very worth the 2 hour and 45 minute investment. I think this is a good one to watch if you’ve ever been a son, or a mom or dad. I recommend this one.
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