Monkey Man: Patel’s Passion Creates Cinematic Brilliance
Hemsworth Rating
As Good As it Gets! Go See This!
What qualifies one to become a movie critic? Who bestows the power upon a commoner to tell the world if a film is good or bad? Is there a secret society? An underground fight club one must navigate to be anointed as the all-seeing, all-knowing voice of cinema? I ask these questions because I'm perplexed about how a film's success seems to hang on the words of an aggregate of people who come together to either celebrate or lambast an artist's vision. If you enjoy a film, then that film is good. I won't judge your taste, and I respectfully ask that you don't judge mine. Unfortunately, this isn't the reality we find ourselves in. I'm going on this rant because this will be my first non-spoiler review of a film, and I want to ensure that anyone who reads this understands the care and consideration I put forth when giving my honest take on a film.
Dev Patel appears in a still from Monkey Man. (Universal Studios)
That film is "Monkey Man," the directorial debut of the talented Dev Patel. Patel received critical acclaim for his honest portrayal of Jamal Malik, a young man from the poverty-stricken streets of Mumbai in the Oscar-winning masterpiece "Slumdog Millionaire." "Monkey Man" captures the visceral nature of classism that permeates the streets of India. It's a film of revenge draped in a cocoon of a culture often misunderstood. The story is about a young man's journey to expose the behavior of corrupt leaders responsible for the death of his mother and who continue to exploit, harm, and immolate the poor. Patel's directorial coming-out party isn't subtle. It doesn't shy away from the circumstances his people are surrounded by. Instead, it magnifies and shines a light on an often-marginalized demographic within the religious backdrop of the inner city.
On its surface, "Monkey Man" comes off as an Indian "John Wick" rip-off, and if you watch the trailer, you will understand why that could be warranted. However, this couldn't be further from reality. Underneath the brutal scenes lies the beauty of a culture that merits proper representation on the silver screen. "Monkey Man" takes you from the comfort of your seat and briefly transports you into a world Patel places you in. His passion is felt through each scene and brilliant cinematic choices were made by cinematographer Sharone Meir. The depth of Patel's range is only matched by the physicality he exhibits in a film he literally broke bones trying to make.
Dev Patel appears in a still from Monkey Man. (Universal Studios)
There's nothing more remarkable than a film that can see the light of day on a shoestring budget. With the right vision, story, and production behind a project, anything is possible. This film restores my faith in an industry that oftentimes takes the easy way out by banking on a sure thing. The industry needs a film like this. The foundation of cinema is owed a film like this. We owe it to movies to support projects like this. "Monkey Man" is a revelation. It's a film that stands on its own and is a breath of fresh air amid the oversaturated, monotonous dreck we have accepted as art. Take a bow, Dev Patel, "Monkey Man" is one for the ages.
