In terms of scope what this movie sets out to achieve is admirable, the fact it actually pulls it off should be considered monumental. As a movie it's more than watchable with some great performances from Arquette and Hawke. But the boy - who you watch grow as the film develops steals it. High praise to the casting team, for plucking him out of obscurity, because his ability to carry the role over such a long period was make or break for this film. In the age of CGI it's refreshing to watch the natural aging process on screen, this is no backroom gimmick, this is puberty and menopause onset over 2+ hours. That would be my only complaint, it was long at 160 minutes and at Linklaters pacing sometimes it could feel long.
My recommendation would be on the basis that I'm still thinking about it days after seeing it and I'm still trying to fathom how it was orchestrated. If you have seen and enjoyed Linklaters other films Before Midnight et al then you will enjoy this.
I'm going to escape, come back, wipe this place off the face of the Earth, obliterate it and you with it.
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