"The Goat" Informal Review

The Goat, directed, produced, and starring Buster Keaton in 1921, focuses on an innocent man who accidentally poses for the mug shot of a convicted murderer. After his face ends up on wanted posters all over town, the police begin chasing him and the locals run away at the sight of him. The ensuing chase scenes make up the majority of the film. In the end, the innocent man, aided by a young woman, manages to get away. Although the film contains no spoken words, it still manages to tell its story effectively through visuals.

As a silent film, The Goat must show the audience its story, rather than telling them through spoken dialogue. A combination of different camera angles, exaggerated character movements, and the occasional screen of text helps to communicate what’s going on to the audience. For example, when the viewer is supposed to see something from a character’s point of view the scene is seen through a circle as opposed to being watched as normal. The viewer doesn’t need to be told what this change means because it is presented in such a natural way. Other cues such a clearly labeled signs, over exaggerated acting, and visual gags clearly communicate the story of The Goat to the audience. In addition, the film manages to keep the attention of its audience through its clever use of comedy and an overabundance of slapstick. This kind of comedy is classic for a reason, as it manages to entertain audiences even today. Even without the use of the spoken word, The Goat uses both visuals and comedy to its advantage, resulting in a film that even modern audiences will enjoy. I give this movie a thumbs up.