President Obama Picks His Favorite Movie of the Year

Boyhood-Ellar Coltrane-Ethan Hawke
Boyhood-Ellar Coltrane-Ethan Hawke

Ellar Coltrane and Ethan Hawke in Boyhood

By Greg Gillman

If Richard Linklater’s Boyhood doesn’t live up to the Oscar hype surrounding it, at least the writer and director of the unique coming-of-age tale can take comfort in knowing it was the President of the United State’s favorite film of the year.

Boyhood was a great movie,” the president said in a new People magazine interview. “That, I think, was my favorite movie this year.”

See photos: Golden Globes 2015: The Nominees (Photos)

The movie, which has been competing with Birdman as the year’s best in the eyes of critics and organizations handing out awards, took 12 years to film, and traces a fictional character’s journey through adolescence in real time.

Also Read: Judd Apatow Isn’t Afraid of Sony Cyber Terrorists: ‘I Am Going to ‘The Interview’

So far, the film starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as the parents of newcomer Ellar Coltrane has been named Movie of the Year by the AFI Awards, and is up for five Golden Globes, as well as three Independent Spirit Awards.

Also Read: Wrap Screening Series with Michael Keaton: ‘Knew We Were Onto Something Risky’

The president’s wife, Michelle Obama, on the other hand, did not offer up a favorite film she saw in theaters. But did share a thought on David Fincher‘s adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.

“I’ve read others [since, but] I read Gone Girl a couple summers ago, which is one of my favorites,” the First Lady said. “The book is much better than the movie.”

Watch the Boyhood trailer below:

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP