MONKEYBONE

US, 2001, 93 minutes, Colour.
Brendan Fraser, Bridget Fonda, John Turturro, Chris Kattan, Giancarlo Esposito, Rose Mc Gowan, Dave Foley, Megan Mullaly, Bob Odenkirk, Lisa Zane, Whoopi Goldberg,
Directed by Henry Selick.


A bizarre film, to say the least! And ordinary audience will find it too “out there�. Cult film audiences who like something beyond “out there� may become devotees.

The film was based on a graphic novel and its central character is a cartoonist, Stu, Brendan Fraser. His girlfriend is Julie, Bridget Fonda. His creation is a devilish monkey, Monkeybone, full of mischief – in cartoons and in short films.

Stu has an accident goes into coma which enables him to inhabit the world of Monkeybone. Monkeybone is certainly mischievous, and he is voiced by John Turturro. All kinds of characters are encountered in this cartoon world including Death, played by Whoopee Goldberg. Stu is in hospital, Julie trying to help as she is a doctor – and there are return sequences to the live action as people are concerned about Stu and his health.

Stu’s friend and agent, Dave Foley, is trying to exploit the situation. Stu’s sister, Megan Mullaly, antagonistic towards her brother, is determining whether to turn off the life support or not – with Stu having a mission to solve all his problems before that happens.

In his imagination, there are several characters from Greek mythology including Hypnos, Sleep, with whom he does a deal. There is also the body of a dead gymnast, Chris Kattan, with Stu inhabiting him and Monkeybone and moving in and out.

Director Henry Selick made a number of short animated films but was successful with Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. He also made a version of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach.

Fans of the film enjoy comparing it to a range of fantasies, especially those made by Tim Burton as well as mysterious worlds like Dark City.

One enthusiast called it “a beautiful nightmare�.