User reviews

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.

Important concept that deserves to be discussed, the idea of exporting labour force with language barrier and poor security elements. I found the movie too long with exaggerated cinematography for a simple story.

Loved the music!

Good acting.

Unnecessary use of graphics which gave the story a touch of unneeded fantasy ! This made it look like a comic book desert adventure rather than a real-life suffering.

I read that the main character had to lose a significant amount of weight to portrait the effects of the declining conditions he lived through. This was obvious on the screen.

I wished there was more scenes for Najeeb after his return home and meeting his family, because the effect of his complete disappearance on his family needed to be portrayed as well.

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.

Let me put this disclaimer first, my show at INOX, Mantri Mall did not have any English subtitles and me watching this film as well as writing this review is based on my understanding of Malayalam dialogues and the ones I didn't understand yet followed it through the context. Sadly, all the Arabic dialogues which had subtitles was in Malayalam and I understood none of them. This however impacted my viewing the most during the round up scene with the sponsors.

Based on the novel which itself was based on a true story, this survival tale of a man forced to be a slave while enduring the mental and physical abuse. Even his brief attempt at rebelling is thwarted furiously and the way he gives up is perfectly captured. There were several moments that stood out like the emotional goat scene to that crucial bathing scene in the second half. Several shots stood out too capturing the stunning desert.

However, with the runtime being close to 3hrs, there were moments where the proceedings got monotonous and in those moments, I wished for more moments from his life in Kerala to have been added. Nevertheless, the conviction of the entire team is highly commendable and I did like the songs as well as the background score. It is a straight forward survival drama and despite it's shortcomings, the attempt alone should be lauded.

This movie is very slow and the creators have done a lot. Prithviraj has done a great job and kudos to Blessy's commitment. It's very hard to find someone who commits 10-15 years for a movie and I don't think anyone can do Prithviraj's role. I felt like it was written for him only.

Coming to the movie, I felt they missed something. The music was pathetic and there was no need for that song with Amala Paul. I did enjoy the first half but the second half was a sleeping pill for me. Just focusing on one aspect of the story was not working for me.

Although major portions were desert, the production design was not up to the mark moreover the use of CGI was also not great.

One-time watch that's it.

This is how you make an adaptation of a beloved novel. Prithviraj Sukumaran and Blessy did a legendary work with this movie. The story, screenplay, direction, cinematography, music scores, songs, supporting cast performances, production designs, visual effects etc were amazing. It's a must watch movie and just ignore the intentional review bombings by certain people.

This movie, which is trending #1 in many countries on Netflix is the result of 16 year hard work of Blessy and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The struggles that both of the above mentioned people went is a lot and their hard work gave us a legendary movie.

Don't miss this movie and the note given at the end.

Aadujeevitham is one of the most anticipated films in the Malayalam film industry since the day it was announced. The movie is based on a novel of the same name written by Benyamin. The novel draws from true incidents that happened to Mr. Najeeb, a Keralite who became a slave at a goat farm in the Saudi Arabian desert. It portrays his struggle for survival in the harsh desert environment alongside the goats and his eventual escape. The novel achieved bestseller status in Malayalam literature, which raised expectations for the film.

It's important to note that while the novel was inspired by real events, it also weaves in fictional moments and incidents from the writer's imagination. The film, under Blessy's direction, creates another fictional world around Najeeb, offering a unique vision and interpretation. Consequently, both the novel and the movie diverge from real-life events at various points.

Having read the book six years ago, I recall only a few moments that deeply resonated with me. This allowed me to approach the movie with an open mind, without expecting a faithful adaptation of every detail from the novel.

Review: When it comes to the movie experience, I felt it was like "Aadujeevitham" without actually being "Aadujeevitham" (a goat life without truly experiencing goat life). The film focused more on the survival journey through the desert than on the protagonist's life situations with the goats. The goats were the reason for the novel's name, "The Goat Life," but the movie didn't fully explore that aspect. When Najeeb talks to Hakim after many years, a goat-like sound comes from him, which is the only thing that makes "The Goat Life" somewhat goat-like.

The movie begins by showing a sandstorm, welcoming us into the harsh desert life. The movie kept me engaged throughout, but it didn't connect with me emotionally. The emotions worked differently. I felt sad about the protagonist's situation because I thought it had actually happened to someone in real life, not due to the writing. I appreciate Blessy's and Prithviraj's dedication, but I must share my genuine opinion.

Screenplay, Dialogues, and Direction: The movie followed a nonlinear storytelling approach, which I believe was the best way to tell this story. The dialogues were good, although some felt a bit artificial. Blessy's direction was commendable-the shot selections and symbolic shots were well-executed. The mirage scene was a memorable experience, and the transitions were thoughtfully crafted. The decision to avoid subtitles during the interaction between Najeeb and his Arab owner is truly amazing. Since Najeeb doesn't know Arabic, his confusion while hearing the language also resonates with the audience members who don't understand Arabic. This creative choice worked very well.

Compared to Blessy's previous works (with Kalimannu as an exception), the writing in "Aadujeevitham" fell short. Blessy excels at writing romantic scenes between spouses (as seen in "Thanmathra"). However, in this movie, the flashback romance felt artificial. Watching the scenes between Amala Paul and Prithviraj, which was shot six years ago in 2018, left me feeling awkward. Perhaps the changing cinematic sensibilities post-COVID affected the impact of those romantic moments.

Blessy's strength lies in portraying human emotions. His earlier works like "Kazhcha," "Bhramaram," "Palunku," and "Pranayam" deeply connect with viewers, evoking tears each time. Yet, in "Aadujeevitham," I struggled to emotionally connect with Najeeb. The film lacked moments that would make us truly feel for his character. If the movie had depicted Najeeb's struggles for food, water, and the loneliness he experienced in the desert, it could have built more sympathy.

The similar goat-like sound from Najeeb and the farewell to the goats scenes were some of the well-written portions.

Casting and Performances: Prithviraj: He gave his best performance for the character. His outstanding body transformation and acting skills impressed me. Initially, it took me a little time to accept Prithviraj as Najeeb, especially after watching many interviews with the real Najeeb. However, as the movie progressed to different stages of Najeeb's life, I truly appreciated Prithvi's performance and his voice modulation. When he speaks, a goat-like sound emerges, which adds authenticity. Even in the climax, Prithviraj's voice moved me to tears at certain points.

Amala Pau as Sainul: Unfortunately, I felt that Amala Paul was miscast and not well-suited for her character.

Gokul as Hakeem: Despite some artificial dialogues, Gokul's performance was outstanding.

Jimmy Jean-Louis as Ibrahim Khadiri: His wonderful performance will always be remembered.

Music and Sounds: A. R. Rahman created a wonderful album for this movie. The songs are pleasant to hear and suitable for the situations. Each song is placed perfectly within the film. However, the visualization of the song 'Omane' didn't work well for me; it disrupted the flow of the movie.

Background Score: While it effectively enhanced certain sequences, there were still a few moments when the background music was not suitable for the situations.

Sound Design: Resul Pookutty The sound design was flawless. It truly immersed me in the movie-I could feel the wind inside the theater.

Cinematography and Editing: The cinematography was excellent, with numerous wonderful frames throughout the movie. Some shots were executed brilliantly, especially during transitions between scenes. Cinematographer Sunil KS deserves immense respect.

Sreekar Prasad's editing was good, and the transitions between some scenes were wonderfully blended. If the transitions during flashbacks were achieved while editing, then that was wonderful. However, at the end of a few scenes, we can feel the cuts; the visibility of these cuts disrupts the flow.

Visual Effects and Art: The visual effects felt average. If there are elements that we can't identify as VFX, then the VFX work was wonderful. Specifically, if the transitions during flashbacks were done with VFX, that was commendable.

The artwork was outstanding. The team had already revealed that they created a camel and parts of the oasis for the movie. The details, such as the words Najeeb had written on the rusted vehicle, were well-executed. These details effectively conveyed how much he missed his wife Sainu during his struggling days. Nothing appeared artificial, so I believe the department did their job well.

Costumes and Makeup: Costumes by Stephy Zaviour were good. From her interviews, we can understand that she worked hard and conducted extensive research for the costumes. However, I did notice a minor issue: while running through the desert, in one shot, Prithviraj's pants looked freshly ironed. It's a small detail, but worth mentioning.

Makeup by Ranjith Ambady was excellent. He transformed Prithviraj into someone else, creating a resemblance between Real Najeeb and Prithivi in some shots.

While concluding the review, I would like to highlight a few points. The Malayalam film industry initially adapted many novels and short stories into movies during its beginning stage. This practice served as the basic pillar of the industry. Several of these adaptations were well-received by both critics and audiences. However, there was a period when we shifted away from making films based on literature. In recent years, we have witnessed a resurgence of movies adapted from books. Unfortunately, not all of these adaptations have been successful with both audiences and critics. However, 'Aadujeevitham' has managed to gain acceptance from both groups. I believe its success will pave the way for more film adaptations of novels, and I am hopeful for well-written movies based on literary works.

As for my personal experience with the movie, I found it to be enjoyable during my theater visit. While I am not entirely satisfied, I did like it. This review is based on my initial viewing, and it's possible that my opinion may evolve after subsequent watches or over time due to changes in life and perspectives.

What I learned from this movie is that when we watch a film adaptation of a book, we should not expect every detail from the novel to be replicated on screen. Movies are a distinct art form with limitations in visualizing everything from a book. Not every beautiful phrase written by an author can be effectively translated into a visual medium. Interestingly, many of our favorite movies or successful films were not preceded by reading their stories. Perhaps if we had read those stories beforehand, we might have noticed moments that were missed in the visual adaptation. The key for filmmakers working on adaptations is to maintain the essence of the novel while selecting moments that resonate well with the audience. If a movie is adapted from a novel and can satisfy a person who has never read the book, then that movie is "successful as a movie." Readers expect the story on screen to match their imagination. If their favorite moments are missed in the movie or if the scenes don't align with their mental images, the chances of dissatisfaction increase. Non-reading cinema audiences, however, simply expect a satisfying movie without concern for the novel. If the movie can satisfy them, it will be "a success as a movie". If it also satisfies the readers, then it becomes "a successful adapted movie."

To any crew members reading this review, I ask for forgiveness if my perspective contains any inaccuracies. If any of the criticisms are valid, I encourage you to avoid similar mistakes in the future. Constructive criticism is essential for continually improving our films.

(Opinions are strictly personal. Thank you.😊)

First of all, as a Malayalee, I got tired of hearing the 16-year production and weight loss story before even watching the movie. I felt like they overdid the marketing

This movie had so much potential which was destroyed by the old movie-making style from Blessy. The 16-year journey they were bragging about was reflected very well in the movie by showing us the movie-making style from 16 years ago. I was completely disappointed by the direction, the edit, the soundtracks and the cast. Rahman and Pookutti did nothing to elevate this movie. Only highlight of this movie is the cinematography.

Above 6 foot tall Prithvi was the baddest choice to be the protagonist who gets trapped in Middle East. The scenes of Pritvi landing and acting helpless felt very unbearable because of his body size. Fahadh, Basi, Asif, Shane etc, actors with small body size, would've been a better choice as the protagonist for this movies Pritvi fell on his knees in about 20+ shots which felt very lazy and repetitive.

Dont get me started on the absolutely unwarranted scenes with Amala paul.

So absolutely not worthy of Oscar, filled with Rayappans "uh uh uh" and falling on his knees. Blessy needs to get updated or quit. He is hurting his own legacy.

I finally have got a chance to watch this movie and i think its an OK movie. Its a good watch but not as good as the book.

First of all i want to talk about the acting in this movie. While Prithviraj try very hard to deliver a great performance his acting seems terrible in some scenes. This especially affect whole plot of the movie since its a character driven movie. His terrible delivery of emotional scenes makes us think like an actor trying to do hard things other than a character going through it and i am talking about the all the suffering Najeeb have gone through. He is not all terrible i am only reffering to some of the emotional scenes otherwise he is great. His dedication for this role something he didn't recieve enough credit for. Jimmy Jean Loius and K. R. Gokul's performance are great in this movie. While Amala Paul does terrible job playing Sainu. She was often felt annoying sometimes.

As a hardcore fan of the book I was waiting for this adaptation a long time only to realise some of my scenes from the book is not adapted and some unnecessary scenes are included. The character of Hameed, Najeeb's bonding and relationship with Goats ,Birth of Nabeel the lamb and his sentemence for Kafeel while seeing the guy scared when raining are some of the best scenes that are cut from the movie while the director decided to add unneccessary additions to his past life.

The first half of the movie felt very flat and soulless with terrible acting, unnecessary flashbacks and PACING issues. The backgroud scores and music was not bad but it also didn't made any impact on some scenes. Especially the first half .The best part of this movies are the escape sequenece and cinematography. Cinematography is one of the top notch works malayalam cinema ever recieved. And the vfx team done great work to.

Overall its a good watch not as good as they were hyping about.

As a die hard movie lover I was waiting for this movie last so many years. I got a call from my mind to read the novel 2 weeks back. Tried in google, but i found only manuscripts (not typed version). Then I searched in youtoube and found an audio narration by a female. Downloaded in my mobile and started listening using headphones. I never read any novels in my life. But that audio narration of "aadu jeevitham" was more than excellent. I tried to imagine each and every frames of the story through novel narration. My eyes filled with tears at many moments. That audio narration was nearly 6 hours and 31 minutes.

After finishing that novel, my aim was to book the ticket at First. If we compare the movie with novel, I will say novel is 100 steps ahead. Movie is good in many sense. Good cinematography, Music, Sounds, make over etc. But acting of Prithviraj was not reached as extected, it looks like a Drama. Najeeb was so tired throughout the movie. I think real najeeb and novel Najeeb, both are not tired as shown in the movie. Najeeb was there in the desert long period and doing his duty everyday, then how he become so weak in the movement and dialogs. In that novel he was physically active. In film they missed lot of good moments from the novel. Still I like the combination scenes of Amala and Prithvi. Instead of dragging things, they should have included each and everything in a time frame. Still I will say good attempt. It will be a very good movie for peoplle who did't read the novel that I am sure. All the very best for "Aadu Jeevitham Movie"

The film is worth watching, but there are many superior survival movies that offer a more rewarding experience for the same three-hour investment. "Society of the Snow" stands as a recent benchmark in the genre, and unfortunately, this film falls short of that.

The narrative suffers from a lack of a compelling theme, with certain segments dragging on unnecessarily. The romantic subplot is particularly weak; it's not only poorly crafted but also fails to contribute meaningfully to the overall story, despite occupying a substantial portion of the first act.

The pivotal elements of the film commence too late, by which time the audience may have already lost interest due to the earlier lackluster content. However, the desert sequences stand out, showcasing commendable performances by the trio of actors portraying the survivors.

The conclusion of the movie is jarringly abrupt, leaving viewers without any insight into the lives of the enigmatic character who joined the trek or the Malayali individual who offered aid.

In summary, the romantic elements are excessively drawn out, the desert scenes are satisfactory, and the ending feels rushed, as if the production was constrained by budget limitations and had to hastily wrap up, akin to the final moments of writing an exam.

The casting, cinematography, setting, acting and plot were all spot on. Unfortunately, the pacing was completely off! If only this was an under 2 hour movie, it could easily have been a 7.5 But, they dragged it so much that you lose interest and your patience is tested so damn much. Pacing it right could have made the intense scenes even more impactful, and the not so ones, bearable.

But, kudos to the 3 key characters. They played their roles to perfection. The set up is eerie and scary to know it actually happens even to date. The sound tracks complimented the plot very well too.

Alas, the pacing didn't keep any of us gripped on to the storyline itself.

Serious movie...and 90 percent of the movie is desert and sand walking by a sad sufferer.it makes you feel why you came to the movie.

I thought there will be some excitement in the.way he.would escape that also was back to sand walking by a sad guy...we wanted to walk out in interval but just for the heck of it we sat there waiting eagerly for movie to end and the torture to stop... Pls don't go to this hopeless movie.movie is for entertainment and we should come back with hope and memories..in this movie you will walk out feeling sad,and stupid to have spent 3 hours in utter sadness on Saudi desert..if I compare manjummel boys this is 0.

Amazing movie very well filmed and the script is very realistic Definitely, the actors' acting is conventing and gives the feeling.

I would recommend this movie to be watched over and over again The fact that it is a real-life story is very touching.

"Goat Life" is a captivating movie that beautifully portrays the simplicity and challenges of rural living. The cinematography captures stunning landscapes, while the storyline delves into themes of resilience, community, and the bond between humans and nature. The characters are authentic, and the film leaves a lasting impression, making you reflect on the beauty of a life connected to the land.

This is film is treat for a cinematography . Each and very scene of the movie is specific and requires attention to detail.since the movie had minimal character. The acting part was never the less . Special thanks to Prithviraj Sukumaran was realistic acting. All the supporting actors and actress has justified their roles . About the screen play it's simple and neat nothing complicated. This is kinda movie that does not have a strong content . ( no big story such as PS2 ). But this movie should be appreciated for its background such as location . Important mention the legend ar rahman he did not disappoint us .he has done what he had too .please make sure to watch it on theaters and in home theater. One way or another it's better than revenant.

"Aadujeevitham," which translates to "The Goat Life," is a Malayalam film based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Benyamin. It follows Najeeb, a young man from Kerala who is lured by the promise of a better life abroad. However, his dreams turn into a nightmare when he ends up trapped in forced labor at a remote goat farm in the Middle East. The film, directed by Blessy, is a passion project that took nearly 16 years to complete. Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, "Aadujeevitham" is a powerful story of resilience, longing for home, and the fight for survival in desperate circumstances. It is based on true events and is considered a thought-provoking social commentary. The film is an outstanding portrayal of the dark incidents that happened in the life of a person from Kerala and is well-crafted to show 100% reality and truth. Some people may find it uncomfortable to accept this reality, but their discomfort will not change the truth. It is an Oscar-worthy movie. For those who are struggling to accept it, keep crying. My rating: 10/10. Outstanding film.

So, this flicks based on a real-deal story, right? And they've scribbled it down legit. But man, those flashback scenes early on? Snoozefest. Could've skipped 'em.

But yo, when they hit the desert scenes? Pure fire. They nailed it. Characters are sketched out like art.

PrithviRaj, though? Dude went full beast mode. Blood, sweat, and probably tears in his role. Every scene, you can tell he's giving it his all. Major respect for that hustle.

Then there's Jimmi Jean Louis. My guy is on another level. His character's very good..

On the flip, production's slick, music's hitting just right, and the camera work? Chef's kiss.