Is Monkey Business Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2015)

🎬 The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Monkey Business, a standout production of 2015, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Family landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into In an orphanage around the year 1900, the principal of an orphanage tries to earn some money by selling the orphans for child labour. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Family are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "In an orphanage around the year 1900, the principal of an orphanage tries to earn some money by selling the orphans for child labour. The moment we step in the story one of the orphans, Wim, is about to be sold to a brutal man. The man wants Wim to go to the market with a little monkey to pickpocket people. By the time they get to the market, Wim succeeds in escaping with the monkey by hiding in an old canalboat with the help of Jet, a girl who lives at the countryside. When they arrive at the farm where Jet lives, he meets Jets little sister Sien and her friend Ot, two little children who will take care of Wim and the monkey for the next weeks. When the brutal man finally finds out the hiding place of Wim, a true chase follows and Wim is locked up in the orphanage again. But then Jet’s father, a schoolteacher, interferes…. A story for the whole family about the start of the compulsory school attendance in 3D!"

🎭 Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The ensemble, led by Tygo Bussemakers, delivers a professional and engaging performance that satisfies the requirements of the Family genre. While it may not reinvent the wheel, the commitment to the material is evident in every frame.

The direction by Johan Nijenhuis is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 91 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

🤔 Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Monkey Business truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Family, then this is a highly recommended entry that delivers on its promises while offering a few surprises along the way.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 6.6/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

⚖️ Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Monkey Business explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2015 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Johan Nijenhuis respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

🏆 Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Monkey Business serves as a reliable piece of entertainment that will satisfy core fans while providing a solid entry point for new viewers. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Tygo Bussemakers or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Monkey Business is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.