The Goat Life

The movie probably went a bit overboard in telling its story. The actor's performance was too much, almost like they were trying too hard, and the film made the characters' problems seem bigger than they really are. I get that sometimes a movie needs to amp up the emotions to make a point, but here, it kept that intense level from start to finish and didn't even wrap up the story well. This made the movie feel like it was just trying to make us feel sorry for the characters, rather than telling a good story.

However, the movie does have a meaningful message at its core, and in some places, the over-the-top acting might have been necessary to get the emotions across. But sticking with that approach all the way through, without giving the story a proper ending, was a mistake that turned the movie into what felt like a long plea for sympathy.

There's one good thing that might come out of this movie, though. It could make people think twice about making reckless decisions, like jumping into something risky without thinking it through. If the exaggerated struggles shown in the movie make viewers more cautious about taking big risks without planning, then at least the movie has done something useful. In a roundabout way, the movie's over-the-top take on its story could end up being a warning to think carefully before diving into something dangerous.

From the shores of Kerala, India, The Goat Life (or Aadujeevitham in Malayalam) is a breathtaking survival story (that transcends language and geography) about an Indian man who is forced to work as a goat herder in a Saudi desert against his will. Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran underwent an arduous transformation for this role, and his performance is amplified by stunning visuals and a haunting score. Director Blessy's tale is an exploration of hope and resilience that lingers long after the credits roll. I would highly recommend Aadujeevitham to witness Prithviraj's skilful acting and how immersive the world is.

The film's narrative is gripping, capturing the essence of Najeeb's journey in the harsh desert landscape, where he is forced to live as a shepherd under inhumane conditions. The screenplay, also penned by Blessy, stays true to the essence of the novel, conveying the agony and hope of Najeeb with an unflinching honesty. The dialogues are sparse but powerful, resonating deeply with the audience and evoking a wide range of emotions.

Aadujeevitham's cinematography is another highlight, with the expansive deserts and harsh environments beautifully captured by the lens. The film's visual storytelling complements its narrative, making the audience feel the isolation and desolation that Najeeb experiences. The use of natural light and the sweeping shots of the desert landscape create a hauntingly beautiful backdrop that enhances the story's emotional impact.

The music and background score by A. R. Rahman add an additional layer of depth to the film, subtly underscoring the narrative's highs and lows. Rahman's compositions are evocative and poignant, perfectly aligning with the film's tone and enhancing the overall viewing experience.

All things considered a neat adaptation of Aadujeevitham. I read the novel around 15 years ago and loved it. I don't remember everything from it but there were some standout moments from the novel that I missed here. Maybe those were the more fictional aspects of the novel and this could be closer to Najeeb's real life, I don't know. But it really felt like that in the first half there was so much focus on certain aspects that could've been shortened with more impact even if they didn't include the parts from the book that I wanted to see since it's already three hours. The initial portions of Prithviraj as the newly arrived immigrant were also not as convincing as I would've liked. But the film fully commits in every department in the second half and makes such a beautiful experience. Prithviraj's transformation and his suffering are portrayed as a person who is very normal and innocent in contrast to the similar character in Mariyan (which took a lot of inspiration from this novel) who was essentially portrayed as a hero. Periyone song was incredible but it was too short and didn't fully give the impact it could've. In fact, a lot of scenes suffer from this because of poor editing. Other than Periyone, most of the music is either too much or just not matching what is going on. Honestly disappointed with the music. Even the ending of the movie felt a little abrupt, especially considering how the flashbacks were set up but it ended without the full payoff.

Even with all the problems I had Aadujeevitham is a solid movie and a neat adaptation of the novel with incredible performances, especially from Prithviraj. As someone who had read the novel, there were a lot of things that were easier to understand and also other things that I was disappointed with. It felt like it would be an entirely different experience for those who haven't read the novel.

The movie is a tributary interpretation to the novel. The way the story sculpting from the start was awesome. Prithiraj Sukumaran gave his life's work with this one. Also the visuals and cinematography was top notch..! Kudos to the entire team of The Goat Life...!! AR Rahman's music is another plus point. The placement of the songs are really going along with the plot.

Although Cast's performance in the movie was one step ahead than other positive aspects. Even amala paul, her screentime is very low but she also gave her best for the movie. There are certain moments in the film which are hard to watch. Overall the movie worth a Watch...!!