takashi_kupo There is not much to like about the film except for the actors. Vera Farmiga shows us why she's an Academy Award nominee, stealing every scene she's in. David Duchovony has a sexy bod. The guy from Weeds plays the guy from Weeds. And Graham Philips? I'd rather he had a better vehicle to showcase his talent, but I suppose we all have to start somewhere.The premise of the film, if a solid one can be written, isn't very solid. A young boy under the tutelage of a wise man named Javier, AKA the Goat Man, gets a chance to leave the comfort of his dysfunctional home and be a normal student at a prep school. He meets a bunch of non-sensical young men in the process, none of which are charming, endearing, or compelling characters at all. He gets drunk with some, high with the others, and he spends his time learning nothing but showing us how great of an academic he is (saying in one scene that he's getting all A's even though there's no evidence to say that he's extremely studied or intelligent).Boy meets girl, girl is charming, but that storyline is pointless too. We meet the young boy's father played by Ty Burrel, and his father's new wife, played by the sensational Keri Russel. The father is a douche and the new wife is way too nice to understandably be in love with the douche father. The father's character arc is supposedly wrapped up at the end when he comes to visit the boy and helps him retrieve a stolen item, but it's another unbelievable arc in a series of subplots that the film throws at us expecting us to believe.The movie goes on a bit aimlessly, never ceasing to grant us boring turns and twists that neither endear us or provoke meaningful thought. One last issue I would take with the film is the all white cast. Like other independent titles, one would think that this film would showcase a more broad spectrum of the locations that the film portrays. But like other independent titles to fall into the same trap, Goats can't imagine even the darker skin of an extra clouding up the already murky plot of final product.

shesnoyou16 I watched the movie Goats not really knowing what it was about, but right from the beginning I was taken in by such great characters and not to mention some big time actors I went "Huh didn't expect them to be in this movie!" too. when you first start watching you think Ellis is going to go off to Gates and that's where the rest of the movie will take place but in fact the majority doesn't. Its labeled comedy but it is at times a drama also which you pretty much can guarantee with a divorced couple and a kid, I'm not going to check the spoilers box because I'm not going to spoil anyone about the movie although there's not much to spoil. but I will say for a critic to give this movie a score of 0 is pathetic. If you have any soul, passion or love at all you can relate to Goats, its a coming of age dramedy that makes you feel just that, not too happy and not too sad, right in the middle and that's just okay. It makes you realize your life is what you make it and sometimes doing the wrong thing is actually doing the right thing in disguise. Goats is definitely one of those gems you remember forever its not mainstream and its not cheesy its just right, I'm glad I watched Goats, It was thoroughly enjoyed! Would recommend it to anyone who... well anyone!

Pippy-4 I was really expecting the film not to be very good from the reviews i read at Rotten Tomatoes. I was pleasantly surprised. We rented the film from Comcast On Demand since it did not open in our area. I was able to view it twice before it was taken down. I enjoyed it more the second time round. I found the whole cast to be very good. Especially Ty Burrell from the Good Wife. David Duchovny was excellent as The Goat Man and really showed that he can play other characters very well. I did find Vera Farmiga a little over the top, but then I believe she was supposed to be. Also enjoyed Justin Kirk as the sleazy boyfriend of the Farmiga character. Ty Burell while i expected to hate him since she always referred to him by a very vulgar term turned out to be a nice person. It was also nice to see that in this film it was the guys that showed some personal parts instead of the ladies:) Bottom line, while not Oscar material its a very enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half. I think when it comes out on DVD I will buy it.

SP-Rocket Having read a review prior to attending the screening, I had mixed expectations about Goats. But in the time since, this complex and poignant film has stuck with me more than most any film I have seen lately. As billed, Goats is a coming of age story, but it is much deeper than the typical angst ridden drama with a teen central character. In fact, all the people in 15-year-old Ellis's life, no matter what their age, face the turmoil of growing up.A smart, but weed-toking slacker, Ellis is probably the most grounded of this oddball mix of humanity. Graham Phillips does a marvelous job of showing us his emotional journey rather than short cutting with some cheesy exposition. He doesn't have any real drive other then a conflicted sense he needs to move beyond the life he grew up with. This portrayal is very true to life. Director Christopher Neil gets a lot of depth out of his actors without over doing it. The performances of Vera Farmiga and David Duchovny are wonderful as the over-the-top, self absorbed seeker of spirituality Wendy, and the so laid back his is almost in reverse Goat Man. Justin Kirk is fun to watch as Wendy's arrogant, two timing sleaze bag boyfriend. An all to brief cameo of Minnie Driver as a spiritual coach is a hoot.There is stark visual contrast between Ellis's new world of east coast boarding school and his old life in Tucson. This mirrors the emotional jarring Ellis is going through. As the film treks forward on two parallel trails, we are also reminded that, despite our protests, life continues without those we love. When these trails intersect, we see how Ellis is pulled between his two worlds.The scenes shot in and around Tucson, Arizona give Goats a unique look. Thankfully, the film avoids the clichés of Tucson. Sure we see saguaros, the mountains and vast alluring desert landscapes. But they are part of the environment the characters naturally inhabit rather than used as pretty postcard filler shots. It also, for the most part, avoids the clichés of boarding school. There is a nice twist when the track coach takes Ellis's joint, and simultaneously blackmails him in to running cross-country, while savoring a smoke.Throughout the film, a lot is said indirectly through action, or through dialog containing multiple meanings. When Goat Man says, "I hate my goats," it reveals a moment of clarity: an inner disappointment with his life and the feeling he is trapped in it.The packed crowd at the screening I attended laughed, cheered, and in the end, erupted into applause. Where so many films of this genre plod to a tedious end, Goats treks lightly to its conclusion. It is not tied up neatly with a bow. The characters all have a long journey ahead, and most likely, they won't get where they think they want to go. Kind of like, well, goats. In the end, I found I wanted to see more of the story. It is an entertaining film that leaves you with something to talk about.