Voluntarily locked in an un-monitored cell for 48 hours, three emotional archetypes battle for psychological supremacy. Winner of best micro-budget feature at this year's Raindance Festival. Monk3ys is a simple concept with complex ideas.
Taking part in an experiment to examine cognitive behaviour are three male representatives of the Id, ego and superego. There is Dougie an alcoholic who spends his time demanding attention, telling tall tales and drinking his way through copious amounts of whiskey. His polar opposite is nice boy, teetotaller, Stevie who's attitudes towards sex is just another reason to be picked on by his fellow experimentees. Then there is Nathan, the ex-military man, brought in for his seemingly "normal" character and to act as the mediator of the trio.
Spending the two days together in a box with more alcohol than water, the boys do what boys do; have fun, mess around and generally have a good time. But when no one comes to let them out after the pre-determined 48 hours they soon realise that this is when the experiment really begins. With no idea how long they will be kept locked up for and unaware if anyone is actually watching, it's not too long until the test descends into chaos as they are left to be destroyed by their own weaknesses.
Monk3ys was always going to be an interesting premise. Its real stroke of genius was starting the film at the end of the experiment, with a truly shocking "opening of the box" moment, it means that from the very first scene audiences will be gripped. Instead of wondering as to where the film is going, every minute is spent in anticipation, eager to find out exactly how it ends up the way it does.
Although there was a script to guide the actors to the major plot points, director/writer Drew Cullingham allowed the actors to improvise not only with their acting but with the hand held camcorder they use to film each other with, it's footage then edited together with the static cameras in the room. Allowing the actors to have free reign with what they film gives a spontaneous and quirky edge that may have not otherwise been captured.
What really makes Monk3ys work is the quality of the acting. In a film where realistic performances are more important than ever, it is a credit to the three leads that they manage to be believable whilst always keeping us interested in their characters. Jonnie Hurn as hedonistic Dougie and Rob Oldfield as timid Stevie play their parts expertly. With the pair at the extreme ends of the spectrum it's a constant battle of personalities. But it is Nathan, the peacemaker, who has the biggest character arc, and it's thanks to the talents of Ian Virgo that he manages to firstly draw us in to his lively, fun loving character and then just as quickly have us start to suspect that something far more sinister lies beneath the apparent "every day" man.
Monk3ys is about many things, there are philosophical questions and psychological ideas presented. There is even some quantum physics thrown into the mix, but ultimately it's a film about human nature. There may be some disputes with audiences over the thought-provoking end (an end which even the actors weren't allowed to know), but it still ties in well with the main themes and the questions asked throughout the film and it will definitely have people talking long after the credits roll.
5 stars
Other British Highlights:
Seamonsters
Adapted for screen from the play 'Outside Of Heaven' , Seamonsters tells the story of growing up and growing apart. Kieran and Sam have been friends from the age of five despite their vast differences and they now find themselves at a cross-roads. They meet pretty and slightly peculiar Lori, who sparks both of their interests whilst at the same time exposing the conflict and tension within the boys' friendship. Lori is a character who shows both the joys and the angst of being a teenager, while her philosophies on life seem a little more mature than she can handle.
Director Julian Kerridge does a great job in directing a very young cast of relatively unknown actors and getting genuine and heartfelt performances from them. In a film where there are very few older cast members and mostly unseen parents, we are thrown into their world, managing to see things from the young characters' point of view, and not just as trivial teen melodrama.
Seamonsters also benefits from naturally beautiful scenery, shot in 21 days in Worthing, the coastal setting fits perfectly around the characters and their story.
Acts Of Godfrey
Acts of Godfrey is a dark and comedic tale, centred around alarm salesman Vic Timms. A bit of a hapless loser, Vic decides to take part in a motivational sales course called 'Win Only Win'.
It is on this course and along with the other attendees, that God (or Godfrey) decides to give fate a little helping hand and give Tim a little push in the direction of the beautiful vixen Mary Macdallen.
The film itself is a very visual one, with bright colours and striking imagery almost like a vivid dream. But the most unusual aspect of Acts Of Godfrey is that it is written and performed completely in rhyme. Using couplets to tell this humorous story, it becomes a little like a modern day Shakespeare play. Writer and director Johnny Daukes had started by writing a poem, but it wasn't until two years later he decided to transform it into a full length feature.
Audiences worried that the rhyming style won't hold their attention needn't worry as Acts Of Godfrey is a genuinely funny and entertaining film, with great turns also from Harry Enfield and Simon Callow.
*Random fact: Acts of Godfrey was filmed at the same hotel that The Rocky Horror Picture Show was shot.
Black Pond
Tom Thompson, whilst out walking his three legged dog, happens upon a strange and lonely man Blake. He and his wife Sophie invite Blake into their family home with pretty much open arms, despite the fact that Blake shows quite a lack of social skills and not much knowledge of what is considered acceptable boundaries.
Following the death of the family dog, the Thompson daughters and friend Tim travel back for the funeral. This is when things take a turn for the bizarre and the black comedy element really sets in.
The first thing we notice about Black Pond is the style, similar to that of observational, candid tv comedies like The Office, Peep Show and The Thick Of It, it mixes a mundane look at life with the surreal. The acting and witty dialogue is what really keeps us entertained, with Chris Langham and Amanda Hadingueplaying the semi-estranged husband and wife to perfection. Simon Amstell also has a small but very comedic role as therapist to the daughters' friend Tim.
Forget Paris
Usually the setting for magic and romance, Forget Paris is all about heartbreak and cynicism. Due to a badly timed break up, Dan (Ed Coleman) and Katie (Mia Cunningham) are forced to spend a week together in the city of love, on a holiday already booked before their relationship's demise.
Although Dan sees Paris as just a dirty city full of disappointment, he still has a sentimental side when it comes to ex Katie and he tries all he can to win back her affections. Katie on the other hand has the romanticised image of Paris which she wants to experience, but when it comes to Dan she is just plain cold-hearted.
It is interesting to see the boy-girl relationship told this way round, usually it's the girl trying to hang on to the guy, while he has the issues of commitment. Dan is a character we simultaneously feel sorry for and want to give a hard slap to for being such a pushover.
Shot on location at New Year's and with beautiful images of the city, it is reassuring to see what you can achieve on a modest budget. Although watching this story unfold you get the impression that writer/director Chris Presswell would rather be anywhere than here. He along with Dan and Katie would just rather forget Paris.
Siobhan Callas
siobhancallas@hotmail.co.uk