Old Goats

This sweet and mischievous comedy revolves around the unlikely friendship between three old men, who play themselves within a fictional framework. Dave (David Vander Wal) is a financially comfortable retiree resisting pressure from his controlling wife to buy a condominium in another state and move away from their longtime home. Part of Dave's denial strategy is to spend a lot of time driving Bob (Bob Burkholder) around on errands—the latter being a randy, opinionated, foul-mouthed veteran who is writing a memoir about his virile youth and sexual conquests. Bob champions Britt (Britton Crosley), who announces grand plans to tour the world in his boat but is in fact a semi-dysfunctional loner living in squalor. The ties between these fellows become even more interesting as Britt acquires a doting girlfriend (for whom he may never be truly ready), Bob begins to settle down, and Dave resigns himself to a retirement plan he doesn't want. Writer-director Taylor Guterson remains rigorously true to the destinies of his characters, eschewing easy attempts at fairy-tale endings for these endearing guys and instead allowing them to stew (as must we all) in their own juices. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the spoof piece "Behind the Scenes of Twisted Love" (7 min.), a tribute to late costar Bob Burkholder (6 min.), deleted/extended scenes (4 min.), a “Grandparents' Movie Review” (4 min.), "Old Goats on Old Goats" (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning indie film.] (T. Keogh)