A breath of fresh air for Indian action films, Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man” is both exhilarating and frustrating.
The film boldly breaks away from the tropes that often plague Indian cinema, offering a refreshing take on the genre.
Gone are the forced love interests, gravity-defying action sequences, and the ubiquitous love songs punctuating traditional Indian films.
Instead, “Monkey Man” introduces audiences to Kid (played by Patel), a complex character who spends nights fighting in an underground animal-themed fight club, donning a monkey mask inspired by the Hindu deity Hanuman.
During the day, Kid’s focus shifts to a more serious pursuit: tracking down corrupt police officer Rana (portrayed by Sikandar Kher).
Infiltrating the exclusive Kings Club, a hub for businessmen, politicians, and law enforcement in the city of Yatana, Kid is driven by a single-minded determination to avenge his mother’s violent death.
“Monkey Man” draws inspiration from a diverse array of cinematic influences, both from Asia and the West.
Patel, a self-proclaimed cinephile, seamlessly incorporates elements reminiscent of Japan’s “Lady Snowblood,” Indonesia’s “The Raid” films, and the John Wick franchise, while infusing the action with the dark humour reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” series.
The use of a shaky camera technique, reminiscent of Paul Greengrass’ “Bourne” films, adds to the film’s intensity.
However, “Monkey Man” is far from a mere imitation of its inspirations.
Patel skillfully interweaves his own Indian identity, culture, and social commentary into the narrative.
Hinduism, music, and the Hijra community are all integral parts of the story, alongside a poignant exploration of India’s class divide.
Not content with merely showcasing Indian culture, Patel uses “Monkey Man” as a platform to express his frustration with India’s current political climate, particularly criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Through the portrayal of the film’s villains, Patel highlights the marginalization of minorities and the extreme religious discourse prevalent in Indian society.
Filmed under challenging circumstances during the 2020 pandemic, “Monkey Man” faced production constraints that forced the crew to improvise with handheld devices like phones and GoPros.
Originally planned to be shot in India, the film’s location change to Indonesia is noticeable, with many Indonesian extras portraying North Indians, which may be jarring for Southeast Asian viewers.
Despite its bold departure from convention, “Monkey Man” is not without its flaws.
Kid, portrayed as a flawed protagonist, struggles with his identity and purpose throughout the film, leading to pacing issues and a slow middle section.
However, the tightly choreographed climax in the final 40 minutes more than compensates for these shortcomings.
As Dev Patel’s first foray into directing and writing, “Monkey Man” showcases his potential for growth and improvement in future projects. Just as his acting career has evolved, Patel’s directorial debut promises a similarly promising trajectory.
