Goliath [2008]
Director: Zellner Bros.
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Language: English
Country: USA
Goliath is a quirky indie drama/comedy that I recently found in the ‘new release section’ of a local mom-and-pop video store. A selection of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and directed by the Zellner Bros (who are known for their short films), Goliath is a story of a socially awkward guy who has everything going wrong in his life. In the recent past, he has become a divorcee, received a demotion at work and lost his beloved cat, Goliath. The main character’s (who is never named) search for his pet is the main story arc, but the film is more of a character study than anything. The main character is certainly an interesting fellow, the type of dude who comes home, heats up a TV dinner and watches obscure Asian pornography. He is definitely a strange guy, and a lot of his mannerisms and actions are quite funny. The type of humor found in this film is not something everyone will enjoy. If you like idiosyncratic humor found in films like Napoleon Dynamite or Good Dick, then Goliath will feel right at home.
Goliath’s slow pacing may also turn off some viewers, and there are some deliberately extended scenes which are sure to aggravate some (such as a divorce-signing scene that drags on and on). However, for that select group of people who are into this particular brand of unconventional humor, Goliath is worth a rental. I enjoyed the movie, even with its flaws.
7/10
