Customer Reviews

B. Monkey

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The right person can help you overcome your self-destructiveness. That's pretty much the moral of this oddly endearing love story/crime story.

The principal character--very strongly and naturally played by a not-at-all-inhibited Asia Argento (ie, lots of nudity). I was very impressed by the other main character, Jared Harris, an actor I had only seen previously as Andy Warhol (I Shot Andy Warhol). He's terrific. His voice is fabulous (something in common with dad, the late great Richard H.) He's a good guy, the clean-cut teacher who cares about his students, law-abiding, gentle, jazz-loving. She's the thief with a soft heart, looking for a reason to leave that life, looking for "family" (her childhood was not chipper). She's got an ersatz family (a dysfunctional one) with Rupert Everett (as a charming, drug-addled thief) and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (as a pretty-boy, screwed up emotionally thief). They care about each other, but are also violent and volatile with each other.

The teacher gets pizzazz in his life from Beatrice (B Monkey); B. gets stability from him. But the dark elements of her character and her dangerous associates intrude into their lovey-dovey life, and they have to make tough decisions about how to continue together. It's very moving when Harris' character asks Beatrice, "If if was just you and me, and nothing else, would that be enough?" Ultimately, isn't that what true love may come down to? Is being with that person, like Adam and Eve, just the two of you, enough? Can you give up the thrills of a dangerous life and settle down and be happy?

The ending, violent and an ultimate test of loyalty and love, is explosive and appropriate given what came before. It's a satisfying, if gruesome conclusion to an askew love story.

I've never seen Miss Argento before, and I agree with the other reviewers that she is genuinely charismatic.

b.Monkey (Michael Radford, 1998)

Michael Radford is one of those directors whose work gets a lot of press, but no one ever thiks to ask who the guy behind the camera was. From the 1984 version (starring John Hurt) of _Nineteen Eighty-Four_ to the Oscar-winning Il Postino, Radford has quietly built an impressive body of work.

Radford's follow-up to Il Postino is B. Monkey, a crime-drama-...-romance based on Andrew Davies' amusing novel about a young criminal lass (played here

by the delectable Asia Argento) who tries to break free of her small-time criminal pals (rising stars Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Rupert Everett) after meeting, and being wooed by, a primary school teacher (the ubiquitous Jared Harris) who is the very essence of stolid middle-class morality.

Don't get me wrong-- the main reason to watch this movie is Asia Argento, who (as I've said before) has since turning eighteen adopted the "early Helen Mirren" style of acting-- wear nothing but a come-hither glower and look really good. But if you can get your tongue off the floor, both Everett and Rhys-Meyers give us performances that show exactly why they're becoming two of the hottest properties on the British film scene. Everett is charming and urbane, even while being tracked down by a psychotic crime boss; Rhys-Meyers throw temper tantrums with the best of them, but slides into a cool professionalism when it's time to pull off a heist.

A gorgeous (if somewhat slow halfway through-- it does pick up, honest) way to kill an hour and a half. *** 1/2

This is actually a quite wonderful little film.
Asia Argento is radiant as a thief who chances to meet (and enchant) a nerdish, but goodhearted, teacher who completely falls head over heels in love with her (who wouldn't?). In an effort to change lifestyles and settle down, she can't quite get rid of her past and this puts a strain on her newfound boyfriend and her new existence.
All the leads are sensational (Rupert Everett a particular scene stealer) and the film is moving all the way.
Rumours are that a large portion was left on the cutting room floor and it took the film three years to get released, but it doesn't show easily. Highly recommended.

Why, oh why doesn't Hollywood make movies with this much heart and atmosphere?

This movie (i caught it 1st on cable) is so luscious, the performances so brilliant and believable that i was mesmerized. Asia Argento is amazing. She deserves to be a big star. This movie works on so many levels, the love story, the gritty underground scenes, it all fits together. And the music is wonderful, Portishead, Portishead, Portishead (and Barry White briefly) along with some wonderful old jazz.

This is the story of young and diappointed teacher/DJ Alan (Jared Harris) who falls for younger and also fed up criminal B. Monkey (Asia Argento). Surprisingly B. starts to like him too and since she already wanted to leave her criminal past behind and live a "normal" life everything could be great.

But, of course, it's not that easy, as there are several kinds of problems: the main problem is that Beatrice does have some difficulties with saying goodbye to crime and her criminal friends. That's why there's trouble to come, but as the tagline says: "trouble never looked so good".

"B. Monkey" is an extremely entertaining romantic-thriller. The great cast is led by sexy Italian Asia Argento (who obviously doesn't have any problems with performing nude), her shy lover Alan is portrayed by Jared Harris who delivers a very sympathetic performance while Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is absolutely brilliant as Bruno, one of B. Monkeys criminal friends. Nevertheless the movie is dominated by Rupert Everett who plays the (gay and drug-addicted) mastermind of Beatrice and Bruno. As always Everett staels every scene he's in. He and Argento are also the ones to supply "B. Monkey" with some black humour.

If you liked "Something Wild" (starring Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels) you definitely will love "B. Monkey"!

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is certainly a love story, but for me this is only important in that love is one of the things most of us look for in life. The deeper search, and this is where Asia'a character starts out, is for a life that is not "frayed at the edges," perhaps another way of saying "whole." What plays out is two people, driven in part, for certain, by their passion for each other, but even more for their passion for authenticity, who deepen themselve, each other and an amazing relationship through that search. It is the insistence of each of these people to fully honor themselves, individually, that causes them to succeed both in their personal quest and in love. It is they way they ultimately honor each other. This is a deep life lesson that is not learned by many, which, perhaps, is why so many reviewers miss it.

What they learn is that when they find themselves, "They Can't take that away from me," as the music that accompanies the credits at the end says.

A fantastic flic. Good music, color, cinematography, acting, editing and other things, too.

...I've got to put Asia Argento on my list of Much Watch Actresses: she puts to mind a combination of Angeliina Jolie and Thora Birch, but with way more fire than Jolie ever goes for...Jolie is kinda 'mellow', y'know?

But, I caught this on one of my cable stations one Sat. evening 'cause I'm a big fan of heist cine, and this *is* one, albeit wrapped in a rather odd love story. Tawk about opposites attracting! The grade school teacher trails live wire Beatrice one day and asks her out for a drink. What follows is one of the most passionate and interesting court ships I've ever seen on film. They go to Paris to find their love. I thought that was a rather nice touch. But, always, always, one muddy alley away, one warehouse loft away, one scummy tavern away are the boosters and druggies threatening to pull her back in the mire. Beatrice does one more job out of a since of obligation to her ex-partners and to help her pallie (played with greatness by Rupert) pay some drug bills.

The heist at the jewelry shoppe nearly gets botched when her companion loses nerve: they are saved when the driver slaps a man with a car lug wrench. And Beatrice comes away with a 'well, I did get a rush from this, but I can't afford this type of rush anymore. They are 'way too risky'. So she and the teacher find a way to get a house in the country side. And one day, in a break of monotony and ennui, Beatrice calls up Rupert from a road side phone...just to check up on her pallie, you know?

You can just about guess what happens next, but by the time this part of the film happens, if you are anything like me, you find yourself into the story so deeply that you let the obvious cliches run their course. That's what I did.

Also, this is one of the most attractive of the modern British gangster/heist cines I've seen. Many of them have that dark or greyness as if the directors were trying to capture years of sooty, foggy decadence on film. My overall opinion is that if you see this, it will entertain you....

Watching Rupert Everett in this film was riveting; as was watching Asia Argentino and Johnathan Rhys Meyers. Their performances made the film. The premise; an unlikely romance between opposites tested by the girl's shady past, is overcome by a good script and incredibly good characterization by the cast. Beatrice exists as a talented thief living an unorthodox but happy life with Bruno(The fabulous Johnathan Rhys Meyers) and Paul(Rupert Everett) until she decides to live the straight-edge life.

Her departure begins the principal action. Bruno and Paul can't live together without her so they break up. Jobs she could have handled get muddled. She falls in love with a wholesome primary teacher. This relationship's problems begin with her past's constant resurfacing and their related internal stuggles. Tensions mount as both Paul and Bruno need her terribly and her lover's demands forbid her aid. Beatrices choices and actions are human, and believable, hence the draw of the film. After all, choosing which bridges to cross and which to burn is difficult for all of us. This is an excellent film despite Bruno's status as a secondary character.

Better move on over Angelina Jolie, Asia Argento is here!! This woman is not only sexy, beautiful, vulnerable and innocent all at the same time, but oh so talented. She seems to just pour herself right into the part. I have seen some of her other performances and this is definitely not a one movie or one character wonder. If she can get a commercially viable project then Oscar's got a new leading lady. Aside from Asia, B. Monkey is a superb movie with a splendidly developed love story. It was bloody wonderful to watch the characters change, become exposed and draw close to one another. Passion, sensitivity, discovery, growth, intensity, tragedy, and love, what more can one want? Oh yea, did I mention Asia?

*
My personal technical review:

Picture - 3.5, Sound - 3.0, Sound/Jazz - 4.5

This is quite an ususual little movie with unusual colors, good use of sky (in shots), and I suppose it's a bit of a love story.

The overall picture is dark but clear. It is not true 16x9 but is a nice widescreen presentation. You will probably have to watch this movie at night or in a very dark room. With that, the weird blues will jump out at you.

This film will *make* fans for Asia Argento. For those of us who have enjoyed watching her since "The Church", she has matured and looks great. No doubt as you collect DVD's of her father Dario Argento, you will also buy everything Asia Argento appears in. Both of them are quite addicting.

A male lead has a part-time or volunteer job as a DJ and plays jazz LP's. Sometimes in the soundtrack you will hear clicks and pops -- as vinyl records must have been used. It was an interesting effect. Other than that, the jazz background music is excellent and never lasts long enough. Enjoy the Peggy Lee song at the end! Actually, the movie is fairly entertaining, but Ms. Lee's song for the closing credits is the best part of film, since that song is used as a theme throughout.

The case includes a Chapter List and duplication of the cover on one sheet.
*