Loss Of Innocence In Richard Linklater's Boyhood

What do we consider innocence, and how do we hold on to it? Innocence can be defined as freedom from sin or moral wrong, but could the word take on more than just its denotation? When we are young, many of our guardians intend to preserve our innocence through thoughtfully considered exposure. However, in Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, viewers see the effects numerous emotionally charged moments can have on a child. By using cinematic realism in Boyhood, Linklater creates a work depicting loss of innocence as each character matures. Setting out to record life on film, he captures each moment in the construction of a character wise beyond their years.
Katy Steinmetz of Time Magazine describes Richard Linklater’s Boyhood as an “unprecedented project” …show more content…
Now elementary school-aged, Mason Evans Jr., the protagonist, has experienced one of his mother’s verbally abusing partners and a sudden move to another town in Texas. Hearing that his children have moved, their biological father, Mason Sr., decides he would like to see Mason and his older sister Samantha. Their day together is spent at the local bowling alley discussing their mother, how school has been going, and how they have settled after moving. Mason Sr. talks about his adventures in Alaska and how much he missed them when he was gone. They return to the kids’ new home where they begin showing him team photos, skateboards, and arrowhead collections. Their mother Olivia gets home from work soon after they arrive and is visibly upset when she discovers that Mason Sr. brought the kids home without letting her know, consequently ruining plans she had already made. She also finds out that the kids had not yet eaten dinner or done their homework and proceeds to ask Mason Sr. outside for a conversation. Mason Jr. and Samantha watch from an upstairs window as their parents argue, and their father leaves looking defeated. Samantha lets out a sigh and Mason only stares as his father walks off to his