Cheerful films about childhood are generally superficial at best and campy at worst. The deep films can veer towards pretentious morose. “Boyhood,” fits into neither of these categories. In fact, it stands alone as a truly unique and honest piece, simultaneously filling viewers with happiness and awe at it’s daring, intimate look into a boy’s evolution. It’s a downplayed masterpiece with heart; a wistful comedy that never forgets to keep genuine emotions at the forefront.

Richard Linklater’s greatest skill lies in looking at common things in life in an uncommon way. He so accurately traces the youth of a good-hearted suburban Texas native over the course of 12 years. Link­later shot the movie in bits and pieces from 2002 to 2013, allowing viewers to watch Mason Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) evolve from a dreamy first-grader to a deep-thinking, artsy college freshman.

“Boyhood” is like a series of sweet love songs to moments and sensations. There are no team-winning touchdowns or first kisses. There’s just life, happening—as if the viewer is peeking in at random clips from a larger narrative, but the scenes flow so casually you hardly notice. We get just enough to be satisfied, but not so much as to be overwhelmed by overused tropes and story arcs.

It’s the compelling little moments that stand out. From Mason asking his dad if elves exist, to his later realization that adults are just as confused and aimless as children— just making things up as they go along.

I found that part to be especially relatable and ironic, watching the film as an adult. So often the people who give the best life advice are merely rectifying and rationalizing their own shortcomings in theirs. Mason Sr. was a prime example of such a character, uttering perhaps my favorite line in the entire movie:
“don’t lose the feelings. As we get older, we get tougher.”

Whatever our experiences growing up might be, there is no truer, simple statement. Time diminishes the intensity of our feelings. It goes without saying that our first experiences with love, heartbreak, passion and so on, are the most sincere, pure, and potent we will ever feel them. Novelty breeds optimism. Experience breeds practicality.

The final scene of the film reveals a certain reassuring and profound truth about the very nature of our lives: every moment is right now.