An experiment in filming, where the conceit is the content. This is a 12 year+ chronicle of an american working class family post 9/11. All the usual Linklater elements are strong here. Dumbed down philosophical angst, the shorthand of cliques, walking scenes and talking scenes and walking and talking scenes. Sudden domestic danger to liven the pace. Amateur actors left to tread water in long, long sunny takes to slow it back down.

It's on 35mm with colors bursting like old family movies would. He captures childrens' actions as if the film itself were a mute John Hughes babysitter. The evolution of game screens over the years. Long androgynous hair of endless summers. Sick days from school negotiated. The relentless sibling wars of attrition that are reliably comforting.
In the end, the effect is a kind of parent-porn.

We watch children grow, struggle, and find their place. All the while noting the changes, negotiating the dangers, celebrating the milestones. Choosing where and when and what to paint over in the interest of declaring progress.
There's some fun to be had as well. A Harry Potter book release and film opening sequence gets nodded at (the series' actors echo the maturing children in Linklater's film), a GTO and liquor store clerk from earlier films reappear in character.
As with a lot of Linklater's work, this has interesting ideas behind it, some content that supports the ideas, and a tone that allows for the lack of power in it all, to well . . be just all right.