Monkey Trouble

I don't remember why or how I ever bothered to sit through this travesty of a film the makers of it would even call it a kid's or even a family movie for that matter! I saw this when it was out in the theaters, I don't remember who I saw it with or if the ticket sales were half-price. I almost walked out, but unfortunately, I managed to sit right through it.

If you are offended by middle-child stereotypes, this movie is full of them! Poor little Eva in this movie was feeling neglected because of the attention her bratty baby brother was getting. She was also an outcast, unorganized in school, cared more about watching TV than her schoolwork, had no repsect for her family, only had one friend, and yet she wanted a pet and boy golly does she get one! It's a monkey who was trained to be a thief! Ooh, how intriguing! (I was being sarcastic there, excuse me!)

I think this movie also teaches kids that being irresponsible, and going around doing whatever you wanted without your parents consent just like Eva did in this flick is okay. When she was getting kidnapped by Harvey Keital, I wanted to shout, "Take her away!"

Eva was like a female version of Kevin McCallaster from Home Alone. Also, another thing about her was that she was a precocious kid who was too smart for her own good, especially the way she was running around L.A. by herself with her theiving monkey friend. I think that precocious kid plot has been _way_ overused in movies, cartoons, sit-coms, and in the history of all entertainment. The more of that, the more kids are going to think it's okay to be a smart-alleck!

I think it's a crime to recommend this pathetic excuse for a 'Family/Kids' movie. I feel sorry for Thora Birch for even being in this movie, for and playing Eva! So, please, stay away from this! Friends don't let friends watch Monkey Trouble!

Forget FREE WILLY.

If you're looking for a really decent kids/animal flick that will appeal to young, old, or in-between, look no further than MONKEY TROUBLE. Thora Birch gives a fantastic performance as a little girl who wants a dog and winds up with a monkey escaping from its abusive owner (Harvey Keitel) who has trained the little critter to pick pockets and burglarize houses. The monkey takes an instant liking to the little girl, who names him Dodger, and sneaks him home. Meantime, the drunken gypsy (Keitel) will stop at nothing to get him back. It's an intelligent, well performed family classic that will appeal to just about anyone-even those who don't appreciate movies about kids and killer whales.

Rating: **** out of *****

I saw this at the dollar theater several years ago on a rainy day with my friend Andrea, who was pregnant and we wanted to see a good family movie. I'm not a big supporter of seeing monkeys as the star of films, but this was a good one. All the little girl (Thora Birch, who several years later became famous for playing the daughter in American Beauty) wanted was a pet, and the writers crafted a cute, touching story. Good performances all around.

No, seriously I've seen tons of Family movies, some are heartwarming, some are deep, some shallow but funny, and after watching how many of my favorites Family movies have been re-made I kinda thought ideas are running out and mainly I've seen it all. Every once in a while, however, I stumble upon an old flick that for whatever reason I had skipped in the past and leaves me really impressed. I picked this title because I loved little Thora Birch in "Patriot Games and "Paradise" and I thought let's give it a try, I read also that Harvey Keitel was in it, so I thought maybe there is a good movie that I've missed. Didn't expect much, after all I've seen it all in Family movies, dolphins, gorillas, orcas, mice, parrots, cats, dogs, llamas, so what a monkey could bring in addition to that. Well, when you think you've seen it all, something will stun you, that is this movie, Thora Birch at her best no doubt about it, the monkey is so funny, and script absolutely hilarious, specially about the confusion over framing the adorable protagonist as a common thief, well I'm not gonna give anything up, but give it a try I bet you will enjoy it.

This little girl in here (played by Thora Birch) is a little annoying because of her constant lying. However, in the end - as in most stories that dealing with people who lie all the time - she sees that the troubles she's encountered are due to those prevarications.

The monkey in here is fun to watch. It was also nice to see Mimi Rogers in a wholesome and - gasp - even more shocking: Harvey Keitel not utter a bad word. Rogers and Christopher MacDonald play too-liberal parents, discipline- wise, but otherwise this is a pretty enjoyable lightweight film that moves along at a good clip.

It's not memorable, but it's family-safe and a decent movie for the adults, too.