If you've caught glimpses of ventriloquist Nina Conti's amazing, pee-your-pants-funny improv shows on social media, you will have had a good introduction to the texture and utter uniqueness of this film. If you have not, here is a nutshell description: Conti is the voice of a small, sarcastic and very irreverent monkey puppet she uses in her act.
The pieces of this film feel familiar. A road movie? Seen it. A film where a character is on the run from a trauma in their life? Been there. A love story? A redemption story? Check, check. But somehow, when Conti and Allen throw all these into a blender, the resulting product feels like nothing I have ever seen. I never knew where the story was going or what either of them would say next, letting the surprise of peculiar, hilarious trains of thought or bizarre streams of consciousness propel it forward. They are both skilled live improv comedians so it is no wonder the came up with something so off-kilter and delightful. So here is the set-up: after Roy Belvedere (Shenoah Allen) attempts to commit suicide by hanging himself in a motel room and blacks out, he wakes in his RV to discover that it has been commandeered by someone (Nina Conti) in a monkey costume with an agenda of her own. What can I say from there? Just put your seatbelt on and enjoy the ride.
Recommend? YES. I loved this film, it made me laugh and feel the much-needed tender side of humanity.
https://www.ninaconti.net/
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