by Hudson Moura
Monkey Man, directed by and starring Dev Patel, is a film that seeks to meld the gritty essence of crime-action cinema with layers of Indian mythology, social critique, and martial arts extravagance. The film narrates the journey of a young man, who, clad in a monkey mask reminiscent of Mexican wrestlers, engages in underground battles within an Indian city. He embarks on a vengeful crusade against unscrupulous developers, whom he holds responsible for his mother’s death. Known as Monkey Man, he draws inspiration from Hanuman, an iconic figure in Indian mythology, representing a fusion of cultural reverence and urban vigilantism.
However, the film’s realization falls short of its grand ambitions. Cinematic techniques like excessive slow motion, erratic camera movements, and blurred visuals compromise the story’s clarity and can be overwhelming, particularly for viewers sensitive to fast-paced visual shifts. These excessive stylistic choices eclipse the action sequences, including the much-anticipated initial confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist, and diminish the narrative’s impact.
Monkey Man also suffers from an overload of clichés and a convoluted plot that weaves through a myriad of themes, including economic exploitation, personal vendetta, prostitution, and religiosity, attempting to encapsulate the entirety of Indian societal issues. While aiming for a grandiose spectacle, the film’s narrative becomes overstretched and perplexing, leading to viewer disengagement rather than compelling insight or reflection.
The portrayal of hijras as cultural icons who transform into powerful warriors adds to the narrative’s inconsistency, veering from a story of personal revenge to a bewildering bloody action spectacle. The primary plot of a young man avenging his mother’s murder against the backdrop of systemic injustice is lost in the chaotic blend of numerous themes and references.
Dev Patel’s dual role as the director and protagonist in Monkey Man appears to be an attempt to transition from his renowned dramatic talents to action-centric roles. Yet, the film falls short of leveraging his full potential and does not live up to the expectations engendered by Jordan Peele’s production involvement. Despite its high ambitions, Monkey Man struggles to provide a cohesive and engaging cinematic journey, leaving audiences desiring a more streamlined and impactful narrative amidst its tumultuous mix of visual and thematic turmoil.