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Editorial Reviews
Having a self-absorbed New Age mother (Vera Farmiga) and an estranged father (Ty Burrell) means Ellis (Graham Phillips) has grown up relying on an unconventional guardian: the goat-trekking sage, Goat Man (David Duchovny). So when Ellis leaves the alternative ways of his desert home for a stuffy East Coast prep school, changes are in store for everyone.
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22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
"Goats" tracks its main character Ellis Whitman (Graham Phillips), a 15-year-old Arizonan as he leaves the gorgeous desert compound his addled New Age mother Wendy (Vera Farmiga), has decamped to with her trust fund. Ellis has spent much of his early formative years taking treks and toking down with Goat Man, aka Javier, (David Duchovny) with whom he smokes copious amounts of grass and generally hangs out.
Ellis heads to an equally gorgeous New England prep school his own absent straitlaced rich father Frank (Ty Burrell) once attended. In fact, his dad had roomed there with the current headmaster, and so the bar is set high for Ellis. He smokes his courses (cut off from his cannabis connection), meets up with other potheads at the school, runs cross-country after some coercion from the hip track coach, declines a liaison with local dining-hall staffer Minnie (Dakota Johnson), who spends her time reading and making extra money off the student bodies. Ellis initially runs afoul of his father Frank during a terse, tense Thanksgiving, but later the pair find their peace and bond.
Ellis has to decide where to spend summer break, back in Arizona or with his dad, his step mother, and infant half brother.
Well, the critics pretty much gleefully savaged this Sundance film, citing its meandering plot, lack of action, and hybridized comedy-drama tone and comparing the actors and the plot to goats. Cynics are always ready with barbs, but I have to say, this is a fun movie when you don't want 3D special effects, overbearing soundtracks, mutilation and mayhem, and twisted plot lines. In other words, "Goats" affords one the chance to just kick back, watch a story without any secret message or theme. It's just a twisted tale, not a study in realism, about choices, growing up, and growing out. We have all done it in one way or another, and the point here is that there is always a story, even if it is not a cautionary tale or sex romp.
It is not a classic movie, but it is a classic case of what happens when critics drip spleen and venom without considering maybe the point of the movie is to meander. I don't think the goats care one way or another but I enjoyed watching it on a Saturday evening.
Ellis heads to an equally gorgeous New England prep school his own absent straitlaced rich father Frank (Ty Burrell) once attended. In fact, his dad had roomed there with the current headmaster, and so the bar is set high for Ellis. He smokes his courses (cut off from his cannabis connection), meets up with other potheads at the school, runs cross-country after some coercion from the hip track coach, declines a liaison with local dining-hall staffer Minnie (Dakota Johnson), who spends her time reading and making extra money off the student bodies. Ellis initially runs afoul of his father Frank during a terse, tense Thanksgiving, but later the pair find their peace and bond.
Ellis has to decide where to spend summer break, back in Arizona or with his dad, his step mother, and infant half brother.
Well, the critics pretty much gleefully savaged this Sundance film, citing its meandering plot, lack of action, and hybridized comedy-drama tone and comparing the actors and the plot to goats. Cynics are always ready with barbs, but I have to say, this is a fun movie when you don't want 3D special effects, overbearing soundtracks, mutilation and mayhem, and twisted plot lines. In other words, "Goats" affords one the chance to just kick back, watch a story without any secret message or theme. It's just a twisted tale, not a study in realism, about choices, growing up, and growing out. We have all done it in one way or another, and the point here is that there is always a story, even if it is not a cautionary tale or sex romp.
It is not a classic movie, but it is a classic case of what happens when critics drip spleen and venom without considering maybe the point of the movie is to meander. I don't think the goats care one way or another but I enjoyed watching it on a Saturday evening.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
What? I saw this at Sundance, where everyone loved it, then I read a bunch of bad reviews on-line and thought there must be another film called "Goats." I mean, the poster and the DVD cover are kind of cheesy, but the film is really strong.
I watched it again on PPV a few weeks ago and it was as good as I remembered.
Funny and not too boisterous or obvious, this film snuck up on me and the 1500 other people at Sundance, and turned out to be a real charmer. Duchovny is kind of genius as Goat Man, both weird and believable. I liked Justin Kirk a lot, too, and Ty Burrell's nervous restraint is fun to watch.
I watched it again on PPV a few weeks ago and it was as good as I remembered.
Funny and not too boisterous or obvious, this film snuck up on me and the 1500 other people at Sundance, and turned out to be a real charmer. Duchovny is kind of genius as Goat Man, both weird and believable. I liked Justin Kirk a lot, too, and Ty Burrell's nervous restraint is fun to watch.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is quite a different atmosphere for a coming of age story through and around...goats? Yes, and directed by Christopher Neil with charming style and abundant laughs. I was trepidatious about renting this one. While this may not be to everybody's liking, it works all the way around for me.
This movie is really about 15 year old Ellis (Graham Phillips) who is surrounded by a most colorful family. He is ready to go his own way from Tucson to Gates Prep School on the East Coast: the same school his father Frank (Ty Burrell) went to before him and the area where he is living now.
His mother who he calls Wendy by name, (Vera Farmiga, who shines once again in this) is a mix of the spiritual and New Age philosophies who floats around in her self-absorbed reality. If you can rope in Wendy's personality in a couple of sentences you are far better spoken than I.
Goat Man or Javier, take your pick (David Duchovny) is a 'botanist' and an experienced goat trekker, who is hired by Wendy to keep up the place with her. He resides in the pool house, tends to his ever growing garden and...goats. These two have raised Ellis in an offbeat style, along with a huge amount love. Once you do get to know them, they're very genuine.
Quite simply, Ellis leaves for school and is greeted with an alternate way of life that he learns to easily excell in. While there he meets up with his father for the first time in years of absence, as he has been avoiding his ex-wife Wendy.
Frank is married to Judy (Keri Russell) now, with a baby brother on the way. Their lifestyle is easily recognizable as affluent. While Ellis' father may first appear emotionally vacant: Judy (being much younger) is right on target with Ellis, readily able to befriend him and bridge the gap between father and son.
Wendy stays behind with Goat Man and takes up with a new jealous lover Bennet (Justin Kirk). Bennet screens every call and doesn't give Ellis' messages to Wendy, he wouldn't being the arrogant prig that he is. They lose touch because of his interference and Wendy loses control and goes more into her spiritual side, well, her all together self(?)
In this film watch a Thanksgiving dinner ala Wendy take on new meaning with Goat Man, Bennet and several others present. Ellis chooses to go to Frank's home. Wendy didn't get that phone call either.
*Also a nice cameo appearance with Minnie Driver if you catch it.
This indie film plays out as one set-up after another onto some depth and hilarity, in a much more subtle way than hysterically. Like the other reviewers, I agree with the 'sit back and enjoy' theme of Ellis' journey to find himself. The movie is one that you don't need to over-think, analize or anything...but laugh.
As far as Goat Man..."he knows the desert well and he'll be fine"...
{If there is any questioning of the Minnie Driver cameo, while streaming you can catch a great shot of her at 01:34:05}
This movie is really about 15 year old Ellis (Graham Phillips) who is surrounded by a most colorful family. He is ready to go his own way from Tucson to Gates Prep School on the East Coast: the same school his father Frank (Ty Burrell) went to before him and the area where he is living now.
His mother who he calls Wendy by name, (Vera Farmiga, who shines once again in this) is a mix of the spiritual and New Age philosophies who floats around in her self-absorbed reality. If you can rope in Wendy's personality in a couple of sentences you are far better spoken than I.
Goat Man or Javier, take your pick (David Duchovny) is a 'botanist' and an experienced goat trekker, who is hired by Wendy to keep up the place with her. He resides in the pool house, tends to his ever growing garden and...goats. These two have raised Ellis in an offbeat style, along with a huge amount love. Once you do get to know them, they're very genuine.
Quite simply, Ellis leaves for school and is greeted with an alternate way of life that he learns to easily excell in. While there he meets up with his father for the first time in years of absence, as he has been avoiding his ex-wife Wendy.
Frank is married to Judy (Keri Russell) now, with a baby brother on the way. Their lifestyle is easily recognizable as affluent. While Ellis' father may first appear emotionally vacant: Judy (being much younger) is right on target with Ellis, readily able to befriend him and bridge the gap between father and son.
Wendy stays behind with Goat Man and takes up with a new jealous lover Bennet (Justin Kirk). Bennet screens every call and doesn't give Ellis' messages to Wendy, he wouldn't being the arrogant prig that he is. They lose touch because of his interference and Wendy loses control and goes more into her spiritual side, well, her all together self(?)
In this film watch a Thanksgiving dinner ala Wendy take on new meaning with Goat Man, Bennet and several others present. Ellis chooses to go to Frank's home. Wendy didn't get that phone call either.
*Also a nice cameo appearance with Minnie Driver if you catch it.
This indie film plays out as one set-up after another onto some depth and hilarity, in a much more subtle way than hysterically. Like the other reviewers, I agree with the 'sit back and enjoy' theme of Ellis' journey to find himself. The movie is one that you don't need to over-think, analize or anything...but laugh.
As far as Goat Man..."he knows the desert well and he'll be fine"...
{If there is any questioning of the Minnie Driver cameo, while streaming you can catch a great shot of her at 01:34:05}
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good movie.
Great movie, with very good acting and directing. Script takes you on a memorable journey. You won't be disappointed. Stellar cast!
Published 4 hours ago by William Chapman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
This is an awesome movie. It's not a typical film, but it's real. It's definitely character driven, but they are so compelling that it works. Read more
Published 11 days ago by MB
3.0 out of 5 stars
Goats
Goats was not my cup of tea as far as movies are concerned, however it might be your cup of tea.
Published 1 month ago by Tebbyshell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining
There have been movies where the teen is wise and the adults are all fools, but none of them are quite like this. Read more
Published 1 month ago by mr. critic
4.0 out of 5 stars
The kid was likable
I kept watching waiting for something to happen. Then realized it was a character study. The kid was likable even in the midst of screw-up adults. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Roxanne Cowan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shockingly Excellent
First: not to be confused with "The Men Who Stare At Goats", though the latter is also a pretty darn good movie. "Goats" really surprised me. Read more
Published 2 months ago by R. S. Guthrie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ok
A coming of age story, certainly coming from an odd angle. Not a movie for everyone, slow but entertaining in its' odd way
Published 2 months ago by John Millar
4.0 out of 5 stars
Goats is well written, well acted and thoughtful
It is something like an insightful dramatic take on "Orange County". The title raises the provocative question of who the goats are in the movie. Read more
Published 3 months ago by mavepu
2.0 out of 5 stars
Slow and boring
This movie was about 2 generations of potheads--which seemed to amuse and entertain the author for some reason, but I found it boring and slow.
Published 3 months ago by B. Naseath
2.0 out of 5 stars
where is the humor???
Not at all funny to me. I would never rated it as a comedy or given it 4 stars as the rating said. Just another bunch of dysfunction.
Published 3 months ago by corrine jacobson
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