Growing up is hard to do, and it never fails to be one hell of a ride. Rarely has a movie been able to truly capture this spirit without dipping into clichés. However, one film currently in theaters, while not completely cliché-free, manages to cover it all. Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood” is a transcendent and emotional film that will go down in history as one of the most ?ambitious movies ever made.

“Boyhood” follows a young boy, Mason (Ellar Coltrane), from ages six to 18, as he navigates the ups and downs of growing up. Filmed once a year for 12 years with the same cast against the picturesque backdrop of Texas, the film is a daring experiment in structure.

“Boyhood” portrays aging through subtle edits and cultural references aside from the obvious, visual aging, which makes the process extremely moving to audiences.

But this story is just as much about the kids. We see them dancing to “High School Musical” and lining up at “Harry Potter” premieres, but we also see them reeling in the aftermath of their first breakups and tumbling through the front door after curfew. We see them as they explore drugs, alcohol, romance and the question of what they want to do with their lives.

While the film is aptly titled “Boyhood,” it could easily go by a different name because it is, at its core, the story of a family. The chemistry between the actors is natural and strong, which makes watching the film feel like eavesdropping on real life in all its utterly ordinary and stunning beautiful moments.

Although it drags toward the end, the celebration of the seemingly simple and ordinary moments in life make the film a truly human and naturalistic experience. Whether you’re male or female, freshman or grad student, chances are there’s a part of you on display in “Boyhood.”

The film is not available in Tuscaloosa, but “Boyhood” can be seen in the Edge 12 and Carmike 16 movie theaters ?in Birmingham.