SYNOPSIS

Based on Mark Poirier's novel, this follows 15-year old Ellis, a grounded, intelligent young man, as he is getting ready to leave his luxurious but eclectic home in the foothills of Tucson for his freshman year at Gates Academy, an East Coast prep school, and his estranged father's alma mater. This means leaving behind Wendy, his flakey, new age mother and the only real father figure he has ever had, Goat Man. Goat Man has maintained a home in the pool house on Wendy’s property rent-free since Ellis was a child, taking care of the landscaping and pool cleaning, and raising a small herd of goats -- all the while teaching Ellis the meaning of stability, care taking, and commitment. Once at Gates, Ellis easily gets straight A’s, assimilates to his environment, and once he re-connects with his estranged father, Frank, he finds Goat Man's influence and his life out West thrown into stark contrast.