Richard Linklater's examination of youth and the general human experience Boyhood is by far the most impressive film to be released in recent memory, if not one of the best.

Filmed over 12 years in order to genuinely capture the aging process of one boy (played brilliantly by Ellar Coltrane) and his family, Boyhood also serves as a study in the changing times with an authenticity and rawness that could not have been conveyed so effectively without this filming technique being in practice.

However, this film is not only worthwhile because of technical reasons – it is also an emotionally powerful experience that nearly every cinema enthusiast should witness due to the merit of astonishingly grounded writing and subtle, poignant performances from the majority of its main cast. Personally, I believe Ethan Hawke stole the show with his portrayal of an (often absent) father, breathing new life into a tired archetype with a charismatic and touching performance perfectly showcasing his incredible acting talent.

It is clear that everyone involved in the making of this film was passionate about the project – the visuals are gorgeous, the writing is phenomenal, and the actors have such wonderful on-screen chemistry with one another that it is an absolute delight to watch them interacting as a family.

Naturalism is this film's main strength; the tension comes across as truly affecting rather than forced and contrived, conversations are realistic and believable, and its take on boyhood, girlhood, fatherhood, motherhood, and humanity is relatable to all.

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Summer Sapiano, 15, Hellesdon High School