Monkey Shines (1988)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

George A. Romero

Writers (WGA):

Michael Stewart (novel)
George A. Romero (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 July 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil...

Plot:

A quadriplegic man has a trained monkey help him with his paralysis, until the little monkey begins to develop feelings, and rage, against its new master.

Plot Keywords:

Quadriplegic | Monkey Butler | Wheelchair | Murder | Simian Fiction

Awards:

7 wins

Cast

Jason Beghe	...	Allan Mann
John Pankow	...	Geoffrey Fisher
Kate McNeil	...	Melanie Parker
Joyce Van Patten	...	Dorothy Mann
Christine Forrest	...	Maryanne Hodges
Stephen Root	...	Dean Burbage
Stanley Tucci	...	Dr. John Wiseman
Boo	...	Ella
Janine Turner	...	Linda Aikman
William Newman	...	Doc Williams
Tudi Wiggins	...	Esther Fry
Tom Quinn	...	Charlie Cunningham
Chuck Baker	...	Ambulance Driver
Patricia Tallman	...	Party Guest
David Early	...	Anesthetist

Also Known As:

Ella
Monkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

113 min | West Germany:105 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | France:-12 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Carnegie Mellon University - 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Quotes:

Maryanne Hodges: You killed my Bogey!
Dorothy Mann: Maryanne, I think you're confused.
Maryanne Hodges: Not with his hands. He had his little demon do it for him.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Malcolm in the Middle: Monkey (#3.22)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

THERE'LL BE ANOTHER SPRING

Pretty good horror film from George A.Romero.

The plot of "Monkey Shines: is fairly simple:after an aspiring law student Allan Mann is disabled after an accident,his best friend recruits an animal trainer to educate a lab monkey to assist him in his day-to-day tasks.A monkey named Ella shares a bizarre mind link with her master and starts to act out his subconscious thought of revenge."Monkey Shines" is a smart and underrated chiller that features some truly intense moments.The tension that is slowly built up in certain scenes is absolutely incredible.The script relies more on subtle psychological horror than gore.The acting is pretty good and there is even a little bit of nudity.The plot is very interesting but the film can be slow at times.Give this one a chance-just don't expect another "Martin" or "Dawn of the Dead".