Langur Lunacy : My quick take on Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man” (Theatrical Release)
Dev Patel’s grand directorial debut, “Monkey Man,” has graced the screens of Dubai, leaving audiences in stitches and scratching their heads simultaneously. I’m not entirely certain if this cinematic gem has hit the shores of India yet, but after witnessing this masterclass in questionable characters, controversy prone characters and a screenplay that seems to have been penned during a caffeine-induced fever dream, I have my doubts about its success in the land of Bollywood.
Let’s talk about that screenplay, shall we? It’s like someone took a blender, threw in elements from every C-grade Desi movie ever made, hit the ‘puree’ button, and hoped for the best. Clearly, Dev Patel (Jamil) hasn’t quite outgrown his Slumdog days, as he once again presents us with a sprawling Indian city (think Mumbai on steroids) that doubles as a dystopian ghetto. Maybe he was aiming for a John Wick-esque action extravaganza (rumor has it he’s the next James Bond, folks!), but instead, it feels like watching a Vidyut Jamwal production on fast forward. Blink, and you might miss the plot altogether.
Ah, the plot. A true masterpiece of recycled Bollywood tropes: a village under siege, corrupt cops running amok, village destroyed on behest of mining mafia and a mother’s tragic fate at the hands of said corrupt cops. Then what, खून का बदला खून , माँ की आत्मा की शान्ति and you’ve got yourself a recipe for cinematic gold… or so they thought. Set up is packed with Dadas, drugs and dames, there is nothing novel about the plot.
But fear not, dear audience, for amidst the chaos and confusion, there are glimmers of brilliance. Namely, the action choreography, which manages to dazzle despite the utter chaos unfolding on screen. And let’s not forget the Desi cast, featuring the likes of Sikandar Kher, Makarand Deshpande, and Sobhita Dhupalia, who can now proudly add “appeared in a Hollywood flick” to their resumes. Small victories, folks. Small victories.
In conclusion, “Monkey Man” is a cinematic experience like no other. A wild ride through the tangled streets of Dev Patel’s imagination, where monkeys reign supreme and logic takes a backseat. So grab your popcorn, suspend your disbelief, and prepare to witness Dev Patel making a monkey of himself in the most glorious way possible.
My take 