Monkey Man is Dev Patel’s directorial debut, and it feels like someone’s first film. That's not to say the movie was terrible; Monkey Man is quite good! However, some basic filmmaking elements (pacing, camera techniques, script) felt weaker than in other movies by directors who have been doing this their whole careers.
But that’s the charm of Monkey Man. The movie is personal, and that element gives it so much charm and heart. There are no other movies with this setting and sense of purpose. Only Dev and his team could make this movie. It makes me excited to see what Patel does next.
