by Jeffery Rahming, Contributing Writer
Very few actors have had as fascinating a career as Dev Patel. After shooting to fame in the surprise success of Slumdog Millionaire, he’s spent the past decade making some interesting choices, mainly popping up in various indie films rather than opting for mainstream fare (except the infamous The Last Airbender). After being in front of the camera for nearly 20 years, Monkey Man is his first time in the director’s chair, and if this movie is anything to go by, it won’t be his last.
Monkey Man’s protagonist is never given a real name or clear backstory. All we know is that he’s a poorly paid wrestler with a mysterious agenda. What we learn about him is revealed through abstract flashbacks and quick montages that slowly provide more meaning as the story unfolds. Throughout the film, Monkey Man’s journey is paralleled with Hindu mythology. Similar to that mythology, scenes of great philosophical significance and beauty are juxtaposed with brutal violence. As he battles his way through the upper echelons of Indian society, both the audience and our hero get a clearer view of his mission. The action here is visceral, flashy, and fun, but it’s not really the point. Monkey Man is the classic underdog story told in a new way. Like most of those stories, the underlying themes of how high society tramples on the lower class can’t be missed. But what the film lacks in subtlety, it over-delivers in entertainment.
Although Patel has been in the industry for a while, for a first-time filmmaker, Monkey Man is nothing short of a magical feat. His passion for this story is palpable, and it’s evident that he’s been eager to bring it to life for years. His influences range from superhero origin stories to John Wick to Bollywood, and they all combine to make something unique. It’s rare nowadays to see a film that feels this purposeful. Everything — from the lighting to the camera work to the gory fight choreography — feels perfectly planned out and executed. The precise editing, crisp sound design, and clever needle drops tie the whole thing together into a seamless flow that’s always buzzing with kinetic energy. Despite the movie’s frenetic and dizzying pace, you never lose track of the plot. And that’s to say nothing about Patel’s performance, which showcases his impressive range. In an age of mass-produced streaming movies, it’s refreshing to see something made with so much heart.
Monkey Man emphasizes the passion in passion project. Patel manages to combine his love of Indian culture, cinema, and martial arts and turn it into a psychedelic tapestry about class warfare. If you want to support original movies, there’s no better place to start. It’s hard to imagine this being dumped on Netflix as was the original plan, as it is something that begs to be seen in theaters. After this, one thing is clear: Patel is going to be a force in Hollywood for years to come.
Rating: Liked It
Monkey Man is currently playing in theaters
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