I was ecstatic when I saw this particular poster at Midvalley's GSC cinema. I thought this particular film was NEVER going to make it to our country's shore but hoy boy, how wrong was I.
I actually wanted to watch this online but didn't as I was not in the mood for a movie that's thought provoking and heavy this last few past months. A part of me now regret it, yet another part of me thinks it's a blessing in disguise as I get to watch it for the first time on the silver screen.
A movie that took 12 years to film, watch as Mason (and the rest of the main cast) ages in real time from a young cute 7 years old boy to a young 19 years old adult through the movie.
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| Passing of time for Mason |
So the plot in short is... Mason is 7 years old boy that has divorced parents and is living with his mother and sister. The story mainly looks at the process of growing up from the eyes of Mason. Most of the scenes are simple yet everyday things we often take for granted, for instance going bowling with your dad, hanging out and drinking your first beer with your buddies, sibling quarrel, etc.
There are some scene that really caught my attention especially those which have some nuggets of wisdom hidden in-between the lines. For instance there was a scene where Mason was complaining that they were bowling in a bowling alley which didn't have bumper and it was not fun as he keep hitting the gutter, but his father replied "You don't want bumpers, life doesn't give you bumpers" or the dark room scene where a teenage Mason was advised by his teacher about the importance of hard work besides having talent.
Some reviewers actually complain on the lack of plot due to the lack of conclusion on some events in the movie, but I think these people failed to realize most thing in our life itself has no conclusion. Some things/peoples just come and go by, some will affect us, others won't... That's life and that's why for me it's so easy to related to this movie.
If your looking for a movie with amazing plot which is ground breaking but improbable like Fight Club, Memento, Inception... This is not a movie for you. The movie sticks true to its concept that
"Life is beautiful and interesting enough as it is, and you don't need to manufacture a lot of falset"Acting wise, the overall cast was very believable in the role they are playing as. Sometimes some of them just look dull and bored out, which make them even believable as we sometimes in life we really do look dull and bored out. I liked the small random titbits like when Samantha (Mason's sister) dyed her hair red, or when Mason had pierced his ear or growing some facial hair which I heard was really not scripted.
How did this movie made me feel? Aside of feeling nostalgic on my own boyhood, I did have the WTF!? moment (which a few more reviewer had) half way though as I suddenly realize looking at the now teenage Mason, "Where did that cute little boy vanish to?".
Verdict: Overall I would highly recommend this movie to anyone that is open to the idea of watching a movie about normal things in our everyday life. If you come into this movie looking for escape from everyday reality, you'll most likely be disappointed like a bunch of people that left the movie 3/4 thru when I watched it. Otherwise be prepared to be dazzled by a simply intriguing story about the passage of time through boyhood...
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