Bonobo

source: Bonobo

source: Bonobo

What can you do with a movie the title of which is defined as sexually active monkeys? Surprise! I have always been a big fan of Granchester - the original rather than the later. To find James Norton and Tessa Peake-Jones was a delight. Both played such goody-goodies on Granchester, I was astonished by their roles in this film - then delighted. Picture James Norton in his Granchester role and then watch him do nude hand-stands out in the yard in front of Mrs Peake-Jones. You only see him from the back and from the waist up, but how funny is that? Then to watch him put the make on anyone handy was just too funny! He gets thrown out of the commune for being such a horn-dog! I really had no idea of what to expect with this movie, which opens with a bunch of people running around the yard fully naked and I thought what the hell! I gave the movie 4 stars just for the shock value of James Norton and Mrs. Peake-Jones. I hope they both got paid a lot to do this movie! Overall, the movie is lacking in quality, both in story and actors. I don't think it's even a "B" level quality. But, if you start out knowing what's in store, then how can you go wrong with a bunch of naked folks? This was all worth it just for the "exposure" of James Norton and the reaction of Mrs. Peake-Jones. Just watch her eyes go up and down when Norton is supposed to be standing naked in front of her. Just too funny! I'll have different thoughts when I watch the first Granchesters from now on!

Yes, the premise is a good one; and it is a rare film that passes the Bechdel test with such flying colours, having women in both lead parts (and over forty to boot). It also has commendable themes – redemption/middle age/self discovery – which are not obvious topics for a comic treatment, yet are treated here with sensitivity. I came to this having seen Knott's 'On this island' on Channel 4 a few weeks earlier, which also had a serious point, but the delivery of that message was much more obviously comic. Bonobo is not just a laugh-a-minute film, and there are passages where the darker side takes over; but the dialogue is snappy there is a feel good energy throughout. This was an impressive cast and the acting was subtly nuanced. I had only seen Josie Lawrence and Tessa Peake-Jones playing it for laughs before, but I enjoyed the greater range they were able to show here; and their performances took the honours. Overall, an enjoyable and thought-provoking movie. And, judging by the audience's reaction during the showing, not just for me.