The Goat Life is the latest Malayalam film that has caught the imagination of many. The film has been released in Telugu as well today and read our review here at Filmyfocus.
Story: Najeeb (Prithviraj Sukumaran), accompanied by his friend Hakeem (KR Gokul), arrives in Saudi Arabia seeking employment. While they await their sponsor, Khafeel (Talib Al Balushi), recognizes their vulnerability and sees an opportunity to exploit them. Taking advantage of their naivety, Khafeel deceives them and brings them under his control. Najeeb finds himself assigned the role of a goatherd on a remote farm in the desert. The narrative of The Goat Life unfolds as Najeeb navigates the challenges of his new life in this unfamiliar environment.
Performances: Prithviraj Sukumaran’s performance in this film is mind-blowing. Initially embodying the essence of an ordinary Malayali, his portrayal transcends into a remarkable depiction of an animal-like existence amidst the creatures of the wilderness. His physical transformation is evident as his clothes hang loosely, requiring him to secure them with a makeshift rope. Gokul Suresh’s portrayal of Hakeem is equally impressive, capturing the essence of his character with finesse. Ibrahim Kadeer’s depiction of Jimmy Jean Louis adds another layer of brilliance to the ensemble cast. Amala Paul’s portrayal of Najeeb’s wife shines.
Technical Aspects: Music provided by AR Rahman adds significant depth to numerous scenes, enhancing their impact. Sunil K.S.’s cinematography skillfully portrays the suffering and anguish experienced by Prithviraj, effectively capturing the essence of his character’s journey. While commendable overall, the editing in the first half could have been more polished to further refine the pacing and coherence of the narrative.
Analysis: The film meticulously realistically portrays the protagonist’s plight, albeit in exhaustive detail, which could potentially bore some audiences. Its non-cinematic approach may not resonate with all viewers. Given Prithviraj’s character’s linguistic limitations, the gradual realization of being deceived consumes considerable screen time, exploring various nuanced aspects.
The initial half unfolds at a leisurely pace, occasionally testing viewers’ patience as the narrative appears stagnant. A deeper exploration of the protagonist’s family’s suffering could have enriched the storyline. Moreover, Amala Paul’s character could have been more effectively developed to enhance her impact within the narrative.
As for the director, Blessy delves deeply into the narrative, offering a comprehensive portrayal of the story. However, the film’s duration could have been more effectively managed by the production team, as it tends to be overly long. There is room for improvement, particularly in refining the pacing and handling of the first half.
Verdict: The Goat Life is made with utmost honesty and has a solid story to tell. Prithiviraj gives an award-winning performance. But to enjoy this film, one needs to have a lot of patience. Telugu audiences will find it tough to sit through three hours of runtime. If you are the one who likes serious survival drama, give this film a shot.
Bottom Line: Only for Performances
Rating: 3/5
