Dennis Galinsky
Mrs. Rubino
English 11 CP
June 4, 2015
BOYHOOD
The current American literature curriculum has a small flaw: it leaves students in boredom. Their attitude to the books and movies watched in class is discontent at best. These students simply do not enjoy the pieces and at times do not even try to read/watch them. It is time to add a fresh, inspirational piece to the American literature curriculum. The film BOYHOOD, by Richard Linklater should be added to the curriculum because it was written by an inspirational figure, shares a theme with the pieces currently in the program, and relates to teenagers. BOYHOOD was written and produced by a very inspirational figurehead in the movie industry: Richard Linklater. Linklater started …show more content…
This motion picture explores the loss of childhood innocence and the escape of reality through the main character, Mason Junior. The audience follows Mason’s life from age 7 through his first day at college. From the beginning of the movie, one can infer that he does not have a healthy family life because his parents are constantly arguing. Throughout the film, Mason goes through many experiences which cause this “eighteen or nineteen-year-old protagonist seem more poised and mature than most of his male peers at that age” such as having multiple abusive stepfathers, finding an early job to help provide for his family, living a split life between his two biological parents, and being the outsider among his peers(Anderson). His different mindset makes him a person who constantly questions what the purpose of life is and what he wants to do with his future, claiming that he is just as confused as his mother was. On top of losing his childhood innocence, Mason also shows a trend in trying to escape reality. After dealing with two drunk, abusive fathers, mason escapes into his hobby of photography. He enjoys taking photographs and uses this activity to calm and detach himself from the world around him. BOYHOOD clearly defines two major themes which are currently explored in the American literature …show more content…
Linklater and the cast chose the moments which are most crucial to every person’s youth in order for all viewers to see themselves in the characters. In fact, Linklater states “Almost everything in this move is tethered to some specific reality on someone’s part”(West). Most of the scenes weren’t even fabricated, but taken from a crew member’s memory and dramatized for the screen. The cast agrees that “Emotionally, [the memories] form a kind of backbone for the whole piece”(Willis). There are some moments that only some people can relate to such as having divorced or abusive parents, receiving “the talk” from parents, and suffering from peer pressure. However, there are situations which most people can relate to such as finding one’s first love and suffering from first heartbreak, finding a first job, and figuring out what to do for the rest of one’s life.This film inhibits all important aspects of a person’s youth which can lead teenagers to relate and enjoy
Mrs. Rubino
English 11 CP
June 4, 2015
BOYHOOD
The current American literature curriculum has a small flaw: it leaves students in boredom. Their attitude to the books and movies watched in class is discontent at best. These students simply do not enjoy the pieces and at times do not even try to read/watch them. It is time to add a fresh, inspirational piece to the American literature curriculum. The film BOYHOOD, by Richard Linklater should be added to the curriculum because it was written by an inspirational figure, shares a theme with the pieces currently in the program, and relates to teenagers. BOYHOOD was written and produced by a very inspirational figurehead in the movie industry: Richard Linklater. Linklater started …show more content…
This motion picture explores the loss of childhood innocence and the escape of reality through the main character, Mason Junior. The audience follows Mason’s life from age 7 through his first day at college. From the beginning of the movie, one can infer that he does not have a healthy family life because his parents are constantly arguing. Throughout the film, Mason goes through many experiences which cause this “eighteen or nineteen-year-old protagonist seem more poised and mature than most of his male peers at that age” such as having multiple abusive stepfathers, finding an early job to help provide for his family, living a split life between his two biological parents, and being the outsider among his peers(Anderson). His different mindset makes him a person who constantly questions what the purpose of life is and what he wants to do with his future, claiming that he is just as confused as his mother was. On top of losing his childhood innocence, Mason also shows a trend in trying to escape reality. After dealing with two drunk, abusive fathers, mason escapes into his hobby of photography. He enjoys taking photographs and uses this activity to calm and detach himself from the world around him. BOYHOOD clearly defines two major themes which are currently explored in the American literature …show more content…
Linklater and the cast chose the moments which are most crucial to every person’s youth in order for all viewers to see themselves in the characters. In fact, Linklater states “Almost everything in this move is tethered to some specific reality on someone’s part”(West). Most of the scenes weren’t even fabricated, but taken from a crew member’s memory and dramatized for the screen. The cast agrees that “Emotionally, [the memories] form a kind of backbone for the whole piece”(Willis). There are some moments that only some people can relate to such as having divorced or abusive parents, receiving “the talk” from parents, and suffering from peer pressure. However, there are situations which most people can relate to such as finding one’s first love and suffering from first heartbreak, finding a first job, and figuring out what to do for the rest of one’s life.This film inhibits all important aspects of a person’s youth which can lead teenagers to relate and enjoy