It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Did you people see the same film I saw?

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

So so film has a really strong performance from "Modern Family's" Ty Burrell to recommend it for but sadly not much else to really separate it from the pack of the other high school kid comes of age in boarding school films out there. Film's trailer promises a wacky comedy about a hippie like guy with a lot of goats and a lot of life lessons to impart but the film really more or less uses him as set dressing...which is a shame because David Duchovny is clearly having a good time and is quite game for whatever the script wants to throw at him and indeed he seems so ready for wackiness that we all but laugh the first time we see him because it looks for all the world that his character is going to be the real star of this movie and a real laugh getter--but aside from having him duel with ex Weeds star Justin Kirk for the affections of a rather over the top Vera Farmiga the screenplay either can't or won't let Goat Man do much of anything else. The film's center is "The Good Wife" son Graham Phillips as a kid raised in the desert and finding his way in this boarding school--and befriending his roommate and finding a young woman and etc. The film's real star should've been Goat Man. I'm not saying that the film is lousy or even boring although it has some boring stretches, but its kind of slight, when the elements were clearly here for something really vivid and memorable. The film even has characters that it clearly doesn't know what to do with besides Goat Man and the crazy new age mom and the obnoxious boyfriend---there's also the tough chick who threatens to beat up Phillips at the beginning of the film, lives in the desert with Phillips and Goat Man and everyone and is taken under Vera famiga's wing in the middle of the film, but the film never gives her anything to do there's also Keri Russell (forever Felicity to me) who's character is given somewhat of a build-up but then once she gets introduced she's given nothing to do and is all but forgotten about from the rest of the film as well, which brings me back to Ty Burrell. He plays the much much hated father of Phillips' character. Vera Farmiga whom vastly overplays the new agey mother of Phillips' character (and is bravely unsympathetic here--meaning her character is very unlikable) has spent a good amount of her screen time bashing her ex-husband so when he finally shows up played by the dad from Modern Family--we're all ready to pretty much hate him--but the strong somewhat no nonsense portrayal by Burrell actually makes him the most likable character (not to mention the most level headed) in the entire movie. I thought his presence actually served to anchor the entire film itself--and his presence as a supporting character really served to help ground the whole movie itself into a reality that it was sorely lacking otherwise. Oh again its not that its a bad movie per se--but it should've been a lot better then it was.

GOATS was the last film I saw at Sundance this year. What a great way to end my stay. Cinema needs the occasional breath of fresh air and Director Chris Neil may be it. Goats is a near perfect coming of age story. Based on the novel by Mark Poirier. Chris Neil captured the spirit of the book while adding a little magic of his own. He creates a tone, a mood that sucks you in and keeps you there. David Duchovny fits perfect in the skin of Goat man. Graham Phillips did a wonderful job playing Ellis. I imagine we'll see more of him soon. Vera Farmiga has a funny bone in her... who knew? I wish there were more movies out there like this. Unlike the big Hollywood block busters that leave you feeling empty and 12 bucks poorer, this film puts a smile on your face reminds you why we go to the movies. A rare gem.

***SPOILER?*** While the plot was a bit meandering like a goat on a trek, it was for the most part entertaining. The acting was superb by the lead and Vera also had a solid performance. I look forward to seeing what graham does next. Not only was his performance solid, he seemed to be the most poised in answering questions after the movie. Nice job Graham. I felt like the movie went in a few too many directions that might better be handled in a series of shows on network television. I did end of liking the main characters except for goat man. His character, while interesting, didn't seem to have any real depth to it. All in all it was an entertaining movie with superb acting by graham that was thinned out a bit by a plot that got lost in the hills a bit.

Great cast with chemistry delivers an engaging performance of an coming of age tale. The story revolves around Ellis, a teenage boy trying to carve out his own life despite having the enormous weight of raising his new-age mother. His troubles are further compounded by his father figure, Goatman, a full blown stoner/gardener who seems mentally stuck at the age of 17. Be prepared to laugh out loud.Set in Tucson, AZ, the movie also features some of the most beautiful images of the Sonoran Desert. No fake landscapes and plastic saguaros, Tucson's authentic glory is on display in this film. The feel of the town is real.Although I appreciate many independent films, there are few I want to see over and over, and this is one that I follow from the big screen, to the cheap-theater, and all the way to blue-ray.