Boyhood, a film directed by Richard Lekter that received praise and headlines from critics around the world, but at the same time many people formed their own opinions and decided it was boring. Yes, people have different opinions, but why has a film received such opposing reviews from such a wide range of people? The answer to this question lies in the making of the film. Boyhood uses elements of the film such as setting, sound and transition to construct an engaging mise-en-scène that transforms a so-called boring and somewhat clichéd plot about middle-class life in the suburbs into an extraordinary 12-year project that successfully engages the audience. He also disputes the argument that Boyhood wouldn't be a good movie if it wasn't made over 12 years. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games shouldn't be banned”? Get an original essay Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's Boyhood is an innovative story of growing up, through the eyes of a child named Mason, who literally grows up on screen in front of the audience. Boyhood is about the rugged terrain of childhood and is depicted in a way that no other film has before. The film shows snapshots of childhood, from family dinners and birthdays to road trips and graduations, and all points in between. The film shows the main character's childhood struggles, growing up with a struggling single parent, balancing schoolwork and abusive relationships. Mason and his sister grow up on screen, constantly moving and learning how to achieve their dreams and goals. Boyhood is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and a film about growing up and being a parent. As a New York Times article puts it: "It's a face you get to know and love because even as this child looks out at the world, you watch him grow." From scene to scene, you see the curve of his jaw change, notice his eyebrows thickening, and see his slender arms open to embrace the world and its light and dark skies.” And as a Globe and Mail article with a video essay from Kyle Kallgren says, Boyhood deserves all the praise it gets, even if it's "pretty boring." Linklater uses elements from the film such as setting, sound and editing. to engage your audience. It captures the Texas suburban experience by clearly showing the different homes the family stayed in over the years. The homes Mason and his family grow up in depict Olivia's relationship status over the years. For example, when Olivia marries her former teacher Bill, the audience is led to believe that their lives are changing, the house they live in is semi-luxurious and seems stable, but unfortunately it does not stay that way. Linklater also uses the setting of the father, Mason Senior, to describe his relationship with his children. The first time the audience sees the father interact with his children, he takes them bowling, orders them fries, and allows them to neglect their homework. The other places he takes his kids throughout the film reflect the laid-back, fun-loving guy he is. At one point, while attending a baseball game, his children ask him if he has a job, this question, in the midst of the excitement of baseball, he is caught off guard and a little shocked, but his answer reminds him says no, he doesn't have a job. This certainly shows that the father is hiding a lot of things from his children in order to hide the character he wants them to see. Mason's car