Year of The Monkey
Year of The Monkey

Movie spotlight

Year of The Monkey

2019
Movie
110 min
Macedonian

A mild political satire about a peculiar friendship between a lonesome monkey and an (impoverished) zoo warden, and about an upside-down world in transition as seen by a chimpanzee.

Insights

IMDb5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes40%
Metacritic44/100
Google Users67%
Director: Vincent GalloGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Set in Los Angeles in 1987, the film follows a young man reeling from a painful breakup. He navigates his emotional turmoil through encounters with various characters, including a mysterious woman and his own internal struggles. The narrative is a deeply personal and often surreal exploration of heartbreak, loneliness, and the search for connection in a fragmented world.

Critical Reception

Year of the Monkey received highly polarizing reviews, with many critics finding its experimental nature and unconventional narrative challenging. While some praised its artistic ambition and unique vision, others dismissed it as self-indulgent and incomprehensible. Audience reception was similarly divided, reflecting the film's divisive artistic choices.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its distinctive visual style and unconventional storytelling.

  • Criticized for being overly long, self-indulgent, and difficult to follow.

  • Vincent Gallo's performance and direction were points of significant debate.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a challenging but sometimes rewarding artistic experience. While many appreciated its unique aesthetic and emotional depth, a significant portion found it slow-paced and pretentious.

Fun Fact

Vincent Gallo wrote, directed, produced, scored, and starred in the film, a common practice in his independent filmmaking career.

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