Director: Christopher Neil
Starring: David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga, Graham Phillips, Ty Burrell, Keri Russell, Justin Kirk
Running Time: 94 minutes
Certificate: 15
GOATS is based on the novel by Mark Poirier, who also wrote the screenplay, and stars David Duchovny donned with an excellent beard in an ensemble cast. Here he takes on the unusual role of a character named Goat Man, who lives in the house of Ellis (Graham Philips) and his new-age Mother, Wendy (Vera Farmiga). Goat Man (or Javier) is a Botanist and Gardener who helps out the family but also has a penchant for going on treks with his goats and grows a whole load of weed.
Saying that, Ellis is the main focus for the movie and he’s played interestingly by newcomer Graham Philips. His friendship with Goat Man has developed over years because they go on the aforementioned treks to find themselves but – stick with me – this initial plot ploy is merely a precursor for the entertaining and estranged family narrative that follows. The Goat Man element is important because even though he’s basically a stoner, he’s the calm in the storm of the chaotic home.
While Ellis is trying to find who he wants to be, in a good way, he’s also trying to deal with his new age spiritualist mother, who appears to floating through life with no control of her own. His supposed solid part of his life would be his father Frank Whitman, played subtly by Ty Burrell, but his mother doesn’t think he’ll be any good for him and so the narrative lets you decide if he is really the right motivation Ellis needs to take control of his life. There’s also a great little cameo for Keri Russell as his father’s new fiancée, she helps the progression of the characters and once again proves her distinctive screen presence.
GOATS is in essence a ‘coming of age’ story but embedded in the metaphor of finding yourself, although it occasionally lags with a desire to over-explain, overall finds itself to be a warm, focused and positive debut for Christopher Neil.
[usr=3] GOATS is out on DVD on February 3rd.
