After glowing reviews upon its initial release, a series of Golden Globe nominations (and wins), and a slue of Oscar nominations, what I’m about to say is probably overdone and trite but never-the-less true.

Boyhood is an absolutely wonderful piece of filmmaking, and possibly one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.

Much has been written of this unique project, spearheaded by writer/director Richard Linklater (Dazed & Confused). Originally starting filming in 2002, Linklater and his crew, including actors Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette, chronicled the fictional coming-of-age story of Mason Evans, Jr., from ages 6 to 18. Of course, what makes the film stand out is how this was accomplished - by filming new segments every year, between 2002 and 2013.

It’s hard to write about Boyhood without addressing its unique production process, but in that same regard, it’s the unique style of production that gives the film its weight and its heart. We see Mason Evans Jr. grow from a small boy to a young man, and experience - just through small moments that lead to a greater whole - his successes and adversity in life. This is framed by moments of interaction with his divorced parents - the aforementioned Arquette and Hawke - which guide his life and the man we see him become.

At no point, however, does the film become gimmicky. The passage of time in the hands of a lesser director would be indicated by overt title screens - a “one year later" or “2004" graphic - but instead, we’re left to use context clues from the films soundtrack, imagery, costuming and haircuts to determine the length of time between segments and scenes.

Running a hefty 2 hours and 46 minutes, Boyhood somehow never feels long. You feel like you live these moments through Mason’s eyes, and go on the roller coaster of his life alongside him. You cheer for the good times, you get sad at the tough times, and you feel the same beaming pride of Hawke and Arquette as their son goes from Young Boy to Young Man.

As the product of a divorced home myself, perhaps there are elements of Boyhood that ring truer and deeper than they would for others - but I can safely say that I’ve never felt more in-tune with a film than I have this. I’ve lived that life, I’ve seen those moments, I’ve felt those feelings, and the birds eye view is enthralling and captivating.

Acting in the film is wonderful, with Ethan Hawke as the trying-his-best screw up absentee father Mason Sr., and Patricia Arquette doing incredible work as Mason’s mother, Olivia. Every award she’s been nominated for has been well deserved - you feel Olivia’s strength and growth through the film, ending up with one of the strongest female roles I’ve seen on film in some time. The true revelations, however, are Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linkletter (Richard’s daughter) as Mason Jr. and his sister Samantha, respectively. I cannot imagine the difficultly of casting someone of single digit age through to adulthood, but in each, they grow into confident actors. Either could be actors to watch for years to come.

Boyhood is a movie whose production story may be greater than the simple one it presents on film, but the 12 year risk paid off. Highest possible recommendation.

Boyhood is currently available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and VOD (Amazon, iTunes).