Films for Breakfast

Sometimes you see a directorial debut that is so full of raw energy and ambition that it’s intoxicating in the best type of ways. Monkey Man is that type of directorial debut from fantastic actor-turned-fantastic director Dev Patel. The film also stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who seeks out an unlikely living in an underground fight club where night after night he wears a gorilla mask and fights for cash. After years of a suppressed rage and trauma drives him, Kid finds a way to infiltrate the city’s sinister elite. As his rage boils over, he begins to take go down a bloody path of revenge and retribution against the men who took everything from him.

Dev Patel is the star of Monkey Man in more ways than one – in front of the camera, he turns in one of the best and most vulnerable performances of his entire career. Patel has already commented on how he broke his hand during filming and fully physically transformed to play this character, and it shows in each and every action sequence as he pushes himself to the absolute limit. Kid is such an interestingly vulnerable protagonist to follow, and Patel wisely understands that a hero is so much more impressive when they are vulnerable and feel like actual human beings. To that point, behind the camera, Patel is just as equally a beast as he’s composed a film that is gloriously frenetic and stylish within its chaotic action sequences, but often times surprisingly emotional, spiritual, and restrained within its story and character drama. For a debut, this is one hell of a film – but to give such a great performance while also pulling off your directorial debut? That’s next level talent.

The film undeniably follows some familiar tropes at times and goes through a fairly basic heroes journey type of arc for Kid – especially when it comes to some of his motivations and the spiritual awakening aspects of the film. However, the film being inspired by the story of Hanuman is such an interesting perspective for that of an action/revenge film. Every bit of this film feels so largely unique and fresh because of not only how great the action sequences are, but how he beautifully fuses in surprisingly thoughtful social commentary, as well as a fascinating dose of Indian culture. By the end, despite the familiarity, all of these elements blend into a film that is so unique and energetic that you can’t help but love it and feels wholly original.

John Wick truly paved the way for action films to remember to look stylish and colorful again, and now it feels like every action film we get is hyper-stylized. However, Patel and cinematographer Sharone Meir make Monkey Man‘s visual language and style feel incredibly unique and vibrant instead of ever just being John Wick-lite. India is presented in such a vibrant and moody way that has the setting feeling truly alive, and each action set piece has defining colors and flourishes that will help them be memorable for years to come. On the other end of the technical spectrum, Monkey Man obviously soars within its incredible fight choreography and unique perspective on how its action is shot. There are so many unique POV shots or just ultimately impressive one-take sequences that surprise you with both how long they go on for and also how seamless they flow with the entire picture.

By the end of the film, Monkey Man accomplishes almost everything it tries to pull off and then some. The film is a gloriously violent and surprisingly emotional ride from beginning to end. This type of expertise and control over what you want to give to the audience while uncompromising from your own vision and message is absolutely one of the best attributes a filmmaker can accomplish, and Dev Patel proves here that he can deliver a film that checks all the boxes and then some. It’s a film that never stops surprising and entertaining, and feels like the birth of a true auteur. I cannot wait to see what Dev Patel does next, because I’ll be first in line.

4.5/5