B. Monkey
1998 · United Kingdom · 92 min
- Director
- Michael Radford
- Screenplay
- Michael Radford, Michael Thomas
- Producer
- Nik Powell, Stephen Woolley
- Music
- Luis Bacalov
- Cinematography
- Ashley Rowe
- Editing
- Joëlle Hache
- Production company
- Miramax
Cast
What it is about
London. Alan is a reserved primary school teacher with a romantic streak who spins jazz records at night for a hospital. Beatrice is a professional thief known as B. Monkey for her ability to get into anywhere. She lives with Bruno and Paul, a drug dealer, in a loose, affectionate arrangement, but begins to consider leaving her criminal life behind. Her encounter with Alan opens a complicated love story, shaped by the wish to change and by debts from the past.
How it was made
The project was first attached to Michael Caton-Jones, and is based on Andrew Davies's 1992 novel of the same name. Caton-Jones left over creative differences after choosing Sophie Okonedo for the lead; Asia Argento took the role. Michael Radford directed and co-wrote the script with Michael Thomas. Luis Bacalov's score sits alongside jazz recordings by Django Reinhardt and Chet Baker, and pop and rock tracks. In her autobiography, Argento said she had an affair with Radford during the shoot.
Reception and legacy
Critical response was divided: Rotten Tomatoes gives it 60% from 20 reviews, and Metacritic a 49 out of 100 from 10 critics. Anita Gates of The New York Times had mixed feelings but praised the actors. It remains a low-profile entry in late-1990s British neo-noir, and its production background has been as much talked about as its critical reception.
Stills
Trivia
A change of cast
Caton-Jones said he had chosen Sophie Okonedo, but according to his account producer Harvey Weinstein rejected her, and Asia Argento ended up replacing her.
Jazz on the soundtrack
Alongside Luis Bacalov's score, the film includes recordings by Django Reinhardt, Chet Baker and Peggy Lee, reflecting the musical taste of Alan's character.
More films by Michael Radford
Il Postino: The Postman
Nineteen Eighty-Four
The Merchant of Venice
Flawless
White Mischief
The Music of SilenceOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.