‘Monkey Man’ Review
Stars: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Adithi Kalkunte, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar | Written by Dev Patel, Paul Angunawela, John Collee | Directed by Dev Patel
Ever since it was announced in 2018, Monkey Man had a difficult journey to its release. Dev Patel’s directorial debut received setbacks due to covid restrictions, budgetary issues, and a broken hand of the writer/director/star (this last issue resulted in a change of choreography to ensure Patel could deliver fight scenes one-handed.)
Netflix acquired the film for worldwide distribution, a move which would have buried the film courtesy of a dreadful algorithm, yet that scenario was avoided courtesy of filmmaker Jordan Peele. The Get Out director acquired this film under his Monkeypaw Productions banner, intending to release the film into cinemas as part of his distribution deal with Universal Pictures. Thank goodness for this move, as this pulse-pounding work deserves to be seen on the big screen with a crowd.
Patel stars as an unnamed fighter, known only in the credits as Kid. Making a living in an underground fight club, his time is spent in the ring wearing a gorilla mask and being beaten by more popular fighters. As he manipulates his way into a job cleaning dishes for an expensive club, the lead draws closer to political leaders and the chief of police (Sikander Kher) who were responsible for murdering his mother.
Ever since his acting career begun with E4’s Skins, Dev Patel has built a terrific career with films such as Slumdog Millionaire, The Personal History of David Copperfield and The Green Knight. This transition into directing comes with the feeling that Patel put everything into this story, building off inspirations from Bruce Lee movies, Korean cinema, and Bollywood titles for a stunning work that is bursting with personality and infused with culture.
In a genre which he believes has been abused by the system, Patel aimed to embody real soul, trauma, and pain into this work. That is undoubtedly felt in the lead performance, utilizing expressive eyes to convey so much and deliver a determination borne out of pain linked to the burns which cover his hands. His figure may not be imposing, yet that adds to the underdog nature which weaponizes other’s preconceptions to his brutal advantage.
A key inspiration for this film is Hanuman, a Hindu deity that embodies strength and courage. This ties into the story about vengeance enacted by those marginalized by an unjust system, rising up against the corrupt leaders who systemically victimize the poor and powerless. While the chief of police makes for an imposing figure whose commupance is eagerly awaited, the main antagonist who orchestrates misery for his gain feels a bit too detatched from the lead.
While there is much build-up to the unfolding action scenes, what is delivered undoubtedly is worth the wait. The choreography is given a chance to shine courtesy of minimal cuts, eschewing a balletic style to instead show the brawls in visceral fashion which resembles caged animals fighting for their lives. The camera sticking so close to the action allows for first-person perspectives to be employed, although it can veer a bit too close at times and leave scenes difficult to comprehend. This is thankfully not a regular occurrence, as it does not detract from the blood-soaked journey taken across this impressive debut. Monkey Man is a blistering work that will make you go ape-shit for it.
**** 4/5
Monkey Man is in cinemas now.
