‘Goat’ Sundance Review: Nick Jonas Explores Hazing in Intense Frat Drama
Ben Schnetzer (”Pride“) and Jonas both build their reputations as rising young actors to watch in this mostly compelling tale of collegiate cruelty and sibling rivalry
Fraternity initiation generally gets handled in movies as a goofy lark in keg-chugging comedies like “Animal House.” Hazing, on the other hand, doesn’t get as much play, but it’s at the center of “Goat,” which had its world premiere Friday night at the Sundance Film Festival.
Based on the memoir by Brad Land, the film is likely to generate discussion not only for its intense scenes of frat pledges enduring “Hell Week” but also for the memorable performances by Ben Schnetzer (as Land) and Nick Jonas (as Brad’s older brother Brett).
Both actors are in interesting places in their careers; Ben Schnetzer made a splash in the U.S. with his supporting turn in “The Book Thief,” followed by standout lead work in “Pride,” while Jonas has taken on provocative roles on TV (“Kingdom,” “Scream Queens”) and Broadway while revealing his buff torso all over the internet in a so-far successful strategy to distance himself from his boy-band/Disney Channel origins.
The film opens at a raucous college party that high-schooler Brad is attending with his big brother. Brad leaves early, and someone who claims to have been at the bash asks for a lift home. The stranger and his friend guide Brad to a deserted field where they savagely take turns beating him before stealing his car. After spending the summer recuperating from the incident, Brad decides to start college that fall at Brett’s alma mater so that he can pledge Brett’s fraternity.
Hell Week is no picnic for any freshman, but Brett’s brothers seem to go out of their way to specifically call up memories of the attack. Brad’s also-pledging roommate Will (Danny Flaherty, “The Americans”) is forced by pledgemaster Dixon (Jake Picking, a cruelly handsome, new millennial William Zabka) to repeatedly slap Brad in the face, for instance, in a way that makes Brad uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Brett, who initially championed Brad’s decision to pledge, finds himself torn between two different kinds of fraternal responsibilities.
David Gordon Green wrote the initial adaptation of Land’s book, with Mike Robert and director Andrew Neel (“King Kelly”) getting credit for the final draft. The screenplay has many sharp observations about college life, such as an unhappy Will telling Brad that the only thing worse than enduring the torture of pledging is the social stigma of being known as a guy who couldn’t take it. There’s also a hilarious segment featuring James Franco (who’s also a producer) as one of those alums who doesn’t let familial obligations stop him from stopping by campus to party with the frat boys.
By the end of “Goat,” however, there appear to be some scenes missing. Whatever happens to the girl that Brad spends the first chunk of the movie mooning after? How much of Brett’s change of heart about fraternity life and the pointlessness of hazing has to do with seeing it happen to Brad versus his concern about Brad’s psyche following the carjacking?
Along with an ending that some will find either enigmatic or unsatisfying, the movie could benefit from some minor re-editing. But there’s still much that works here, from the chillingly droning score to a uniformly strong cast. “Goat” is a film that will elicit a great deal of interest on college campuses, but there’s plenty for us post-grads to contemplate as well.
Sundance 2016: 15 Hottest Movies Looking for Sales (Photos)
"Southside With You"
Director: Richard Tanne
Cast: Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter
Why It’s Hot: Before they moved into the White House, Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson were just two young people going on their first date in Chicago. It’s a fascinating entry point for a movie about the President and First Lady. We know how their story ends, but buyers are very curious how it began. Does Michelle kiss on the first date? We can’t wait to find out…
Why It’s Hot: Between his low budgets and his loyal following, Kevin Smith’s movies are attractive to buyers, especially if Johnny Depp co-stars. “Tusk” was divisive but we loved it and can’t wait for this follow-up, which seems a bit more accessible and commercial than a movie about a human walrus.
Why It’s Hot: This family dramedy finds Krasinski’s character returning home to his small town where his mother is about to undergo surgery. The star-studded ensemble makes the film a high priority for buyers, who are expected to pounce before the credits roll.
Why It’s Hot: Netflix bought worldwide SVOD rights for $7 million, but the film’s theatrical rights are still available. The splashy Netflix deal, rumored to be the biggest pre-festival acquisition in the history of Sundance, suggests that interest will be high among indie distributors who aren’t beholden to output deals.
Why It’s Hot: It’s the opening night film, and surely Sundance wouldn’t program a dud. While Shannon plays Plemons’ dying mother, Kelly is a “Saturday Night Live” writer, so expect a little levity in the proceedings. Plemons has earned no shortage of goodwill thanks to “Fargo,” “Breaking Bad” and “Friday Night Lights.” Perhaps this is the project that makes him a movie star.
Why It’s Hot: Reichardt has earned a loyal following in indie circles thanks to her previous films with Williams -- “Wendy and Lucy” and “Meek’s Cutoff.” Kristen Stewart’s indies have been hit-and-miss at the box office, but she’s still a high-profile actress, so if the film delivers dramatically, buyers will be ready to open their checkbooks.
Why It’s Hot: Lonergan is one of indie cinema’s most-respected filmmakers whose work appeals to prestige distributors. This film was initially set to star Matt Damon before Casey Affleck took over, though Damon is still credited as a producer. “Manchester” was shot by indie darling DP Jody Lee Lipes, who represents another attractive element amid the high-profile package.
Why It’s Hot: This project has been in the works for more than a decade. It’s based on a shocking memoir by Brad Land, who recounted a terrifying assault and his experience pledging his brother's college fraternity. The film explores the issue of hazing and how that brutal annual ritual tests the siblings’ bond. James Franco produced “Goat” with Killer Films and David Gordon Green wrote the script, so expect this one to be a must-see for seasoned buyers who like their indies with an edge.
Why It’s Hot: Rebecca Hall is said to give a devastating performance as Christine Chubbuck, a depressed TV reporter who shot herself live on the air in the 1970s. It’s a fascinating story and Campos’ most accessible movie to date. His other, more challenging films found distribution and they didn’t have the star power “Christine” boasts, so expect some smart buyer to take it off the table quickly if reviews are positive.
Why It’s Hot: The logline alone -- a champion college quizzing team tries to win the all-India finals and lose their virginities -- had us in stitches, and the controversial Indian filmmaker known simply as Q doesn't play it safe. This could end up being this year’s “Napoleon Dynamite” if advance buzz is any indication. Buyers shouldn’t underestimate the audience for a movie like “Brahman Naman,” which is in English but could still lend itself to an American remake.
Riley Productions
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Why It’s Hot: Sundance is the undisputed king of indie cinema, and director Linklater is among its filmmaking royalty. This documentary examines his impact on the indie world, from making “Slacker” in Texas in the early '90s to directing "Dazed and Confused," "Waking Life” and “Boyhood.” His work has inspired a generation of filmmakers to try their hand at DIY-filmmaking. The Sundance crowd should eat it up.
"The Lovers and the Despot"
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"Under the Gun"
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Why It’s Hot: Produced by Katie Couric, this doc about gun violence is guaranteed to generate controversy, which might as well be music to buyers’ ears. It gives distributors something to sell. “Under the Gun” examines the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre and includes never-before-seen footage from the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. It’s probably the hottest documentary at Sundance this year, so don’t miss it.
Atlas Films
"Holy Hell"
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Why It’s Hot: Sundance played a savvy publicity game with this title, initially keeping Allen’s identity a secret. He eventually came forward to claim responsibility, but his reluctance is understandable. The film takes an inside look at a West Hollywood cult formed by a charismatic teacher in the 1980s that eventually imploded. We don’t know what kind of cult is depicted in the movie, but we’re guessing he didn’t want to get on its bad side.
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TheWrap takes a look at the hot commodities at this festival, from John Krasinski’s ”The Hollars“ to the documentary ”Holy Hell“
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