Boyhood · written by Richard Linklater · 2014

At Big Bend, Mason and Nicole share a quiet conversation about being present as Dalton and Barb howl from the rocks; they agree the moment seizes them.

Scene 160 of 160 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Last scene of act three

Save the Cat: Final Image
Story Circle: Change
Nicole
Mason
Dalton

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 3:01 into a 3:02 film

The story so farBefore scene 160

As his mother’s homes and relationships change, Mason grows from a restless child into a young photographer learning to choose his own direction before leaving for college.

Scenes 1–11
Mason’s world is a child’s local orbit of school, siblings, play, and a family not yet displaced.
Scenes 12–23
The move exposes Mason’s wish to keep his friends and stay connected to his absent father while Olivia seeks a more secure life.
Scenes 24–74
Mason enters successive new family arrangements: Dad’s return, Olivia’s marriage to Bill, and finally escape from Bill’s house.
Scenes 75–123
He adapts to new homes and schools, tests independence with friends and work, and develops an eye for photography.
Scenes 124–138
Mason names what makes him feel alive, draws closer to Sheena, and reaches a first sustained intimacy with her.
Scenes 139–154
The relationship ends, graduation loosens his last school ties, and Olivia’s grief makes the cost of leaving visible.
Scenes 155–159
Mason leaves home and travels into the landscape around his new university, carrying his camera and entering an unfamiliar place.
Just before
Scene 157
Mason pulls into the university parking lot and parks.
Scene 158
Mason meets roommate Dalton, then accepts a brownie and joins Dalton, Barb, and Nicole for an impromptu hike.
Scene 159
Mason and Nicole talk about her dance teaching and creative freedom as their group walks through Big Bend at sunset.
Scene 160
This scene

160EXT. HIKE - LATER

As Barb and Dalton coyote call on the rocks, Mason joins Nicole sitting on a rock overlooking the river and sunset.

NICOLE

Hey.

Dalton and Barb continue like coyotes, much to Nicole and Mason's amusement.

NICOLE (CONT'D)

Dalton can be crazy sometimes.

MASON

He seems cool, though.

NICOLE

Yeah. Yeah, they're both really

cool. How are you feeling?

They both laugh.

MASON

Great. Really great, to be honest.

NICOLE

Good. I'm really happy that you're

hangin' out with us.

MASON

Yeah. Me too.

Meanwhile, over on a big rock, the coyotes are now yelling words.

DALTON (O.S.)

This moment's having a multiple

orgasm! It's like as if all of time

has unfolded before us so we can

stand here and look out and scream -

Fuck yea!! Wooo!

Back with Nicole and Mason laughing.

NICOLE

You know how everyone's always saying,

"Seize the moment"?

Mason nods yes.

NICOLE (CONT'D)

I don't know, I'm kinda thinkin'

it's the other way around. You know,

like, the moment seizes us.

MASON

Yeah. Yeah, I know. It's constant,

the moments, it's just... it's like

always right now, you know?

NICOLE

Yeah.

They trade smiles.

FADE OUT