Boyhood · written by Richard Linklater · 2014

Mason watches from the doorway as Olivia and Ted continue fighting over whether she uses the children as an excuse.

Scene 8 of 160 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 5 min into a 3:02 film

The story so farBefore scene 8

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.

Scene 1
Young Mason lies in the grass outside school, looking at clouds and inventing how wasps begin.
Just before
Scene 5
Ted arrives to take Olivia out, then leaves when she admits she has no babysitter for the children.
Scene 6
Olivia reads Harry Potter aloud while Mason and Samantha lie beside her in bed.
Scene 7
Mason lies awake listening as Olivia refuses to go out with Ted and they argue about her responsibilities as a mother.
Scene 8
This scene

8INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Mason peeks around the corner to watch as the argument continues.

MOM

Don't call my kids mistakes! Don't!

TED

I'm not responsible for your life

choic-- I didn't call your kids--

MOM

You said, "Your respons-- your

mistakes in your life," pointing at

my kids.

TED

I know what I said, you know what,

and immediately you use your kids

again.

Mason peeks through the doorway.

MOM (O.S.)

This is the reality: I'm a parent!

TED (O.S.)

That's, that's hysterical.

MOM (O.S.)

That means responsibility.

TED (O.S.)

I know you're a parent.

MOM (O.S.)

I would love to have some time to

myself! I would love to just go to

a fuckin' movie! You don't think

I'd like that?

Go have some dinner, go to a bar! I

don't even know what that's like. I

was someone's daughter, then I was

somebody's fucking mother! Okay, I

don't know what that's like.