Playing on the perceived loyalty that comes from brotherhood, Andrew Neel’s Goat attempts to offer up a deep character study as a young man attempts to complete hell week and gain entrance into the pledge class of Phi Sigma Mu.
Opening on an over-the-top frat party that boasts loud music, keg stands, girls making out in the upstairs bedroom and guys doing lines, Goat stakes its claim early as it hits nearly every college cliché imaginable. But when Brad (played by Ben Schnetzer) feels out of place and opts to head home early, the film takes a rather quick detour as his good intention turns south when a good samaritan deed results in a brutal jumping that leaves a lasting impression on its victim.
As the film maneuvers its way through Brad’s recovery, both physical and mental, it is hard to deny its lack of clear direction. Brad’s indecisiveness concerning college is understandable, especially considering the recent events, but the ease with which his mind is directed (all thanks to a party and a kiss) is straight up laughable. Attempting to showcase the 'bro' side of college life, Neel forgets that these men are human beings, missing the mark as both the dialogue and interactions appear coerced and unnatural.
Nick Jonas, who looks completely comfortable in the film's main setting, offers up moments of genuine emotion as Brad’s older brother Brett. Regretfully, as the film moves forward, he finds himself hindered by the lack of character development and forced dialogue. His chemistry with Schnetzer is defective as the two appear on separate ends of the spectrum, causing their brotherly interactions to appear odd.
While the film makes ample progress through its first half hour, it loses focus once Hell Week commences. Triggered by stereotypes and horror stories of yesterday, Neel uses all of his ammo at once, paving way to a hectic and exhausting hour that offers little in the way of actual character development and does nothing to bring us closer to the men who are suffering, all for sake of brotherhood.
As the pledges continue to work through their terror and the stress continues to build up, you anxiously await the inevitable. With the guys beginning to wear down, Brett begins to see life past college as his perception of the pledge hazing looks different when your blood stands on the other side. And though it tries to strike a chord, it is hard to not look at the film with a sense of frustration and annoyance. When actual hell hits the guys of Phi Sigma Mu, Neel takes the easy way out and follows the genre’s third act formula to near flawless perfection, giving viewers a tired, washed up finish that seems too simple to be reflective of real life.
As the meetings with the dean commence and the ending comes into full view, our biggest fears become apparent - we've seen this film countless times before. And though Goat does attempt to tie up all of its loose ends, there is no denying that by that time, we’ve lost interest in what is happening.
