One of the great joys of watching Boyhood is witnessing the evolution of its actors, with 12 years of development condensed into a 3 hour run time.

This especially felt when watching Patricia Arquette who, in her portrayal of a single mother trying to better her life and the life of her children through education (and one too many bad choices of husband), quite simply delivered the performance of her film career.

No matter the shocking twists & turns her character endures, Arquette fills her role of "mom" with poise and an unwavering resistance to the hard knocks life throws her way as she grows stronger with each chapter of her life, Arquette in turn going from strength all the way to her profound, powerful last scene.