THE GOAT LIFE – MOVIE REVIEW

THE GOAT LIFE is survival drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Blessy. The film is an international co-production involving companies in India and the United States. It is an adaptation of the 2008 best-selling Malayalam novel Aadujeevitham by Benyamin, which is based on a true incident.

Manjummel Boys was a survival drama that became a runaway hit, thanks mostly to the audience from the neighbouring Tamil Nadu. TGL is in a different league. To begin with there are no commercial or mass aspects and the detailed description in every scene might not impress everyone. The staging and the pace compliment the slow nature of the story. What pulls down the film is the ennui, though there are some moments of relief in the way of flashback in the first half, the tedium in the second half can be a dampener. The other downside is the complete blackout of the family in India and their travails as the film keeps itself focused on Prithivraj all through. But then it is not an easy story to depict as there are very few characters that participated in the true incident and the crude environment does not offer much in terms of different challenges to the protagonist. The writer has definitely taken some liberties in adapting the story, but that in no way compromises the script. The difficulties are the same, the routine is the same and yet Blessy blessed with fantastic dexterity manages to elevate a mundane script to a very high level of craftsmanship.

Prithiviraj owns this film in every way. His brilliant performance shines bright as it camouflages whatever shortcomings the film has. He has put his soul into this remarkable performance. Amala Paul in her limited role does good. Gokul and Jimmy perform well.

The team behind the film should walk away whatever accolades this film receives. Sunil KS’s cinematography is fantastic to say the least. AR Rahman rejigs his juke box and delivers a very underwhelming background score and lazy songs. Sreekar Prasad’s editing could have been sharper in the second half. Production design was topnotch and special mention should be made of the costume designer and makeup.

THE GOAT LIFE is cinematic experience, strictly on the big screen !!

THE GOAT LIFE – TRUIMPH !!!

3/5

B.U.Shreesha