Monkey Man review: Dev Patel’s directorial debut!

The story of Monkey Man is a troubled one - for the main character, portrayed by Dev Patel, a talented actor turned writer-director, it is a journey filled with oppression, trauma, and anger that ultimately transforms into a quest for revenge within the gritty fight clubs of an Indian slum.

Monkey Man review:

This film marks Patel's directorial debut, and it required years of hard work and dedication to bring his passion project to the big screen. Filming initially began in Batam, Indonesia, but encountered numerous setbacks and obstacles along the way.

Patel shared during the film's premiere at SXSW on Monday night that "everything that could go wrong, did", including delays, challenges in finding distribution, and ultimately settling for a Netflix release instead of the desired theatrical debut for his ambitious action-packed movie.

Then, Jordan Peele arrived and recognized the movie's potential for a theatrical release. He rescued it from being relegated to streaming and secured a deal with Universal through his production company.

During the premiere, Peele enthusiastically praised Patel's directorial skills, and it's evident why he was so excited about the project. Patel, a self-proclaimed enthusiast of action films, possesses a remarkable talent for creating highly energetic and brutally intense fight sequences.

Moreover, he is working within a grand setting - a bustling slum in a fictional Indian city - and drawing inspiration from a centuries-old Hindu legend, all while exploring the trauma caused by real state-sanctioned violence. Undoubtedly, this combination of elements truly deserves to be showcased on the big screen.

Experience of watching Monkey Man:

May not necessarily evoke excitement, as the film's nearly two-hour duration is filled with grim moments, even during the hero's triumphs.

Patel's Kid character is mostly silent, haunted by memories of his mother's brutal murder or facing numerous adversaries determined to take him down.

This is a dark and intense revenge story, focusing more on Kid's capabilities rather than his path to redemption. Starting as an underdog, Kid faces challenges from corrupt authorities and underground fighters in the city of Yatana, where he participates in brutal matches wearing a gorilla mask. Patel's filmmaking style is very direct, with the underground ring appearing realistically gritty and dirty.

Taking inspiration from the Hindu monkey deity Hanuman, Kid is driven by an overwhelming fury that defines his entire being. With a burning desire for justice, he devises a plan to infiltrate the corrupt world of the elite, who have not only wronged him but also countless other underprivileged individuals in their pursuit of power.

Among his targets are the ice-cold Queenie, the manager of a luxurious brothel, who manipulates her position for personal gain; the corrupt police officer Rana, a symbol of pure evil, responsible for the death of Kid's mother; and Baba Shakti, a power-hungry guru-turned-politician who cunningly disguises his land acquisitions as spiritual enlightenment.

The movie's somewhat perplexing middle section depicts Kid recovering among the hijra, a marginalized group of "third gender" individuals - trans women, intersex, gender-nonconforming - who mentor and train him to become highly skilled.

I must admit that this information is derived from the press materials, as there are numerous allusions to Hinduism, Indian subcultures, and state politics that have not been prominently featured in a Hollywood action film before, likely leaving many viewers, myself included, puzzled.

Nevertheless, it is evident that the film, which seems to intercut action scenes with actual news footage of religious violence in India, is denouncing such violence in the name of Hindu nationalism.

Monkey Man offers a gripping experience:

Monkey Man offers a gripping experience for those seeking revenge and intense hand-to-hand combat. Patel skillfully captures the essence of the slum's power dynamics and the raw intensity of the fighter.

However, the storytelling and overall texture of the film, co-written with Paul Angunawela and John Collee, fall short. Unlike the witty action stars like John Wick, Kid is a different kind of protagonist, drawing inspiration from various sources such as Korean revenge action, Bollywood, Bruce Lee, and the 2011 Indonesian thriller The Raid.

Patel's performance remains magnetic and deeply sympathetic, even as his character transforms into a convincing killer. Nevertheless, there is a frustrating lack of depth to Kid's character, with his journey primarily revolving around his quest, trauma, and adversaries.

However, Monkey Man presents a few delightful moments on the big screen. One particular scene stands out, effectively portraying the Kid's hierarchy within his group. Additionally, the street scenes are captivating, capturing the essence of the environment.

Patel's efforts to depict the Kid's perspective during his journey of learning to fight and kill are commendable. The rapid-fire edits, blurred vision, and constant camera movement create an immersive and dizzying experience, although it can become tiresome at times. Overall, Monkey Man's visual style is a perplexing blend of television soap opera, gritty character-driven drama, and polished Hollywood action.

Despite encountering occasional bumps along the way, the film provides viewers with remarkable visual displays and a certain level of excessiveness that suits a debut filmmaker. While the journey has not been entirely smooth, Monkey Man successfully showcases Patel's skills as both an actor and director in the action genre.

Monkey Man will be showcased at the SXSW festival and is scheduled to release in theaters on 5 April.