Boyhood

Boyhood follows Mason Evans Jr. (played by Ellar Coltrane, filmed at yearly intervals from ages 6 to 18) growing up in Texas from 2002 to 2013 with his divorced mother Olivia (Patricia Arquette) and older sister Samantha (Lorelei Linklater). His father, Mason Sr. (Ethan Hawke), lacks custody and drives long distances to spend time with the children. In 2002, the family lives in a small Texas town; Olivia soon relocates them to Houston so she can attend university. Mason Sr. visits periodically, taking the kids bowling and bonding over music and films. Around 2005, Olivia marries her professor Bill Welbrock, blending households. Bill initially provides stability but grows increasingly controlling and alcoholic, eventually becoming physically abusive. After he assaults Olivia at a family dinner, she leaves with the children and files for divorce. They move in with a friend, Carol, and Mason and Samantha must start over socially yet again. As Mason enters his teen years, he experiments with marijuana and alcohol, endures bullying, and develops an interest in photography. His father remarries, becomes more religious, and on Mason's fifteenth birthday gives him both a Bible and a shotgun alongside a suit. Olivia earns her degree, becomes a psychology teacher, and moves in with Jim, an Iraq War veteran, though that relationship also eventually dissolves, straining finances. Mason dates a girl named Sheena, experiences a painful breakup, and wins second place in a photography contest, earning college scholarship money. In 2013, Mason graduates high school; Olivia tearfully reflects on how quickly life has passed. Mason departs for Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. On a hike through Big Bend Ranch State Park with his roommate Dalton and new acquaintance Nicole, Mason says 'It's like each moment is happening right now'—Nicole gently reframes this, suggesting that moments seize people rather than the reverse. The film ends on that quiet philosophical exchange, Mason stepping into adulthood with curiosity and openness.

Sources: Wikipedia, IMDb (plot summary page, returned 403 — partial detail retrieved via web search snippet), RogerEbert.com (via web search snippet)