The Goat Life

"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.

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.

This story is totally based on Real Life and not for faint hearted. The elements used in this entire cinema is totally believable and close to reality of Gulf-Countries Slavery Lives. One of my close one also faced same kind of situations over there and fortunately escaped from that misery but it's sad to see that in this 21st century as well some peoples are going there in search of Good Life and Ended up after becoming a Slave of some Sheikhs'. A beautiful movie that everyone should go for..

People are calling it overhyped! But let me clear you that you must have patience to watch it completely because the duration of this movie is around 3hrs with extremely slow level of Screenplay. Although Cinematography is quite rich and extremely beautiful still it could have been 20-25Min Short for sure. The survival instincts are shown very clearly and the way the Director paid attentions to minute details are praise worthy. Storyline is extremely simple and interesting to feel. The Best part of this movie is Leading Actor's Performance. I guess 90% of the time Camera focused on the main character and yeah our Hero nailed his role brilliantly. Music was also extremely good as A. R Rehman was associated with it's music.

Overall a Good movie and not for Family audiences as it have a love making scene in the movie and a total naked body of our leading character is shown in very details. And of course those who are soft-hearted shouldn't go for it.. From my side it will be 7 Out of 10 Stars for it..

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.

Blessy's latest cinematic venture, "The Goat Life", adapted from the 2008 best-selling Malayalam novel "Aadujeevitham" by Benyamin, is a tale of human suffering and resilience. It narrates the story of Najeeb, an impoverished laborer from Kerala, ensnared in the brutal world of human trafficking in Saudi Arabia. Despite the compelling premise, the film fails to deliver on its promise.

The narrative lacks the depth and complexity that could have transformed it into a truly captivating cinematic experience. The characters are underdeveloped, their motivations and actions often appearing contrived and unnatural. The goat, which should have been the central character, is relegated to the periphery, denying the audience the opportunity to form a connection with it.

The film's visual appeal is undeniable. The cinematography beautifully captures the stark contrast between the verdant landscapes of Kerala and the barren deserts of Saudi Arabia. However, these stunning visuals do not contribute to the narrative in a meaningful way, serving more as a distraction than an enhancement.

The film's pacing is another area where it falters. The story unfolds at a languid pace, which can be tedious for the audience. More judicious editing could have kept the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maintaining audience interest.

The performances by the cast are satisfactory, but they do not stand out. The actors do their best with the material they are given, but their performances are not enough to elevate the film.

In conclusion, "The Goat Life" is a film that does not live up to its hype. It has its moments, but they are few and far between. The film is not a complete waste of time, but it is not a must-watch either. It is merely passable, nothing extraordinary, and certainly overhyped. This film serves as a reminder that not all that glitters is gold.