Currently playing in UK and US cinemas is the action-thriller, Monkey Man. Directed by, co-written, co-produced, and starring Dev Patel, the movie features performances from Sharlto Copley, Sikandar Kher, and Makarand Deshpande and tells the story of a young man on a quest for revenge.
In the film, a young boy in India witnesses the assault and brutal death of his mother. Years later, the boy grows up and becomes a fighter, who wears a monkey mask inspired by stories from his youth.
This ‘monkey man’ is a passable fighter, but throwing punches in a ring is not where his destiny lies. Instead, he has his heart set on payback, with plans to avenge his mother through whatever means necessary.
Taking a job at a nearby club, the man tracks down his enemies and sets out to inflict pain. Death and violence consume his thoughts, with his mind unable to rest until he has completed his goal.
For those unaware, while Monkey Man is happily playing in cinemas right now, the movie had a bumpy journey to get to this point. The film suffered a number of setbacks during production, including issues related to the pandemic, as well as an on-set injury for director/actor Dev Patel, and it nearly didn’t come to pass at all.
Monkey Man was originally intended to be a Netflix release, before the streaming giant got cold feet. After seeing a cut of the film, Netflix wasn’t sure about the movie’s social and political content, and came close to cancelling it.
The reason the film survived all this intact and made it into the public sphere is because filmmaker Jordan Peele got involved. He felt the movie needed to be seen, spoke to Dev Patel about it, then convinced Universal Pictures to buy it off Netflix, and the rest is history.
Was this a smart move? You bet!
Monkey Man is an impressive, action-packed picture, with something to say. It takes a great deal of inspiration from the John Wick films, but adds its own unique spin, and the end result is a whirlwind of eye-popping fight sequences combined with an impactful story.
As noted above, Dev Patel is the driving force behind the film as director, co-writer, co-producer, and lead star. The likelihood is he also made the tea on set, and did the washing up, because he’s that heavily involved in the movie.
Monkey Man marks Patel’s directorial debut and what a strong start it is. The film demonstrates a real commitment to telling a solid story, while also showcasing a creative flare.
Patel is clearly a pro behind the camera, and as we already know, he’s great in front of it too. Combining directing and acting duties on this picture works a treat and the film couldn’t be in better hands.
What makes Monkey Man work as well as it does is the way it provides spectacle, yet doesn’t skimp on the script. This isn’t a brainless fighting film, it is instead a well thought out picture which includes plenty of heart and soul, as well as dazzling action sequences.
Those who love brawls and skirmishes won’t be disappointed, but for audiences who want more meat on the bone they get this too. The film might be about revenge, but there is plenty of commentary about India in this movie as well, and this ensures what is being served up is insightful and satisfying.
Monkey Man is a solid action movie which is a step up from many of its peers. Yes, at times the action sequences go bananas, but it doesn’t monkey around and maintains its focus at all time.
This is an impressive directorial debut from Dev Patel, as well as a damn good film in general. Great stuff all round!
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