I knew very little about the film ‘Monkey Man.’ It looked like it had similarities to the John Wick films but I was pleasantly surprised it delivered something else. Make no mistake about it, this is British actor Dev Patel’s baby. He shines as director, actor, and co-writer. The story is expertly crafted to “show, not tell” too much detail in the first half. Patel trusts the audience is smart enough to piece the story together. It reminded me of a Bruce Lee revenge film. The plot is an examination of how power can corrupt those at the top of the food chain. Be warned, the fight scenes are intensely violent but elegantly choreographed.
The film opens with Kid (Patel) eking out a living by fighting in an underground ring operated by Tiger (Sharlto Copley). He gets tired of being a human punching bag and works his way into a job as a dishwasher at an elite nightclub in the fictional city of Yatana (actually Mumbai). He quickly works his way up to a waiter position. He is disgusted at the indecent behavior of the rich patrons. You get a real sense of the contrast between the rich and poor. As the nightclub is a cesspool of decadent behavior, the poor are sleeping on cardboard and struggling to survive on the streets. We soon realize that Kid is out for revenge.
If you haven’t seen Patel the actor, he brings an intensity to his roles. Some of his film credits include ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ and ‘Lion.’ I like how Patel incorporates Hinduism into the mix. We learn from his backstory how his mother was brutally mistreated by the city’s corrupt police chief. Kid learns about the monkey god Hanuman and how he wants to be just like him. It is not until Kid is shown acts of kindness by a neglected minority group that he transforms into a hero to be reckoned with. It’s the power of community that stands behind Kid in his need for vengeance.
When Kid returns to the night club, he is a transformed fighting machine. The fight scenes are brutally choreographed but never over the top. You see every drop of blood. This is not the same person that was waiting tables. He has a renewed sense of purpose. The final showdown is so powerful. He is finally resolving his childhood trauma. This revenge is not just for him but for the poor communities facing oppression in India. Patel’s performance elevates this revenge film to another level. We care about him finding redemption in a corrupt world.
Look out Hollywood, Dev Patel is here and taking no prisoners. He is juggling a lot of plates but pulls it off like a pro. You get the impression that he loves cinema in every frame. This is a gritty debut film but it shows how much potential he has as a filmmaker. It is by no means a flawless movie. More than anything, it shows that Patel knows how to tell a story with exciting action sequences. I cannot wait for Patel’s next project behind the camera.
