Round of 64 (Tier 1): Boyhood vs. The Graduate

Round one is here. 61 years of film with 3 convenient ties. What film will come out on top?

For this round, we start with:

BOYHOOD, Richard Linklater's revolutionary attempt to capture the totality of childhood, from the first steps out of safety in our kindergarten years to finally setting free into young adulthood. Being a Linklater film, our protagonist is introspective and philosophical, albeit unsure of the ultimate meaning of the things he wants to believe in. The journey is what gets us there, though.

Against...

THE GRADUATE, the ultimate tale of the malaise and emptiness that comes when someone who has been told what to do their entire lives is suddenly able to go in any direction they want but with no desire to pin oneself down. Among the most quoted, referenced, and parodied movies of all time, it is as true today as it was half a century ago.

The winner will move on to the next round. The full bracket is attached below.

 

I have not returned to Boyhood much, but I still enjoy it. The Graduate is a classic

 

I think Boyhood is one of the most masterful coming of age films in American cinema, but The Graduate has more going on.

 

Both are exceptional, I give the edge to Boyhood I’m just a little more impressed by it

 

boyhood is not one of my favorites from linklater and I find it to be a little overrated. the graduate, absolutely

 

Boyhood is my favorite movie of all time and The Graduate is one of my least favorite movies that people generally love. Boyhood wins for me.

 

Ive never seen Boyhood, but given Linklater and the subject, Id be all in on seeing it. I have to withhold judegement on this pairing....

Though, the Graduate is superb, to me - LOVE the movie, so itll be tough to go up against.

 

This is the only one of the four where I bucked the classic in favor of the modern. Because they are films about coming of age, the generation closer to me just speaks more honestly. His relationship with his parents are so rich and detailed; even though he might not end up being much of an actor, it is carried along by two actors who generate so much empathy. In many ways, it is their story more than his; he starts as a confused student and ends as one, whereas the parents are the ones who find themselves.

 

Pretty disappointed at how close this one is. I feel like The Graduate should be running away with this, but maybe I need to revisit Boyhood??

 

Boyhood is incredible but it doesn't seem like the Graduate is getting the respect it deserves

 

Graduate

 

With 58 percent of the vote, The Graduate will face The Godfather Part II in the Round of 32.

 

Yikes! Thats a tough matchup!