VIFF 2020 | "Monkey Beach" Weaves A Surprisingly Intricate Contemporary Story Around Traditional Indigenous Culture
8/12 ForReel Score | 3/5 Stars
Ghosts, as Ma-Ma-Oo in Monkey Beach puts it, “used to be like us. Humans who died.” Spirits, she goes on to differentiate, “have been around since before the beginning.” It’s an important distinction for Lisa as she learns how to live with both haunting her. There is a lot of Old Ways wisdom that Ma-Ma-Oo communicates throughout the film, and it all makes for a rich foundation that Monkey Beach constructs its premise upon as Lisa deals with death, family drama, ghosts, spirits, and what some might call “superpowers”.
When Lisa returns home to the small village of Kitamaat, she’s greeted by family and friends with both joy and frustration, as she’s spent years as a rebellious young woman living in the city. From a young age, however, the Old Ways have bestowed a power on her to contact the dead and sense the spirits. It’s a power Lisa has struggled to manage, especially when the lives of loved ones seem to be tied with her sighting of a particular spirit. Now, it’s her brother whose life is in jeopardy, and Lisa must embrace her power if she wants the chance to save him.
Monkey Beach excels at revealing key information at the right points in the narrative to keep the story surprising and fresh. The film begins as a seemingly low key family drama. But the events that transpire between the present day plights and the childhood flashbacks become increasingly dramatic. And the way these details comes full circle adds a level of satisfaction to a story brimming with emotional aptitude.
Grace Dove as present day Lisa (left) and Tina Lameman as Ma-Ma-Oo (right).
Unfortunately, the project can feel more like a made-for-TV movie at times. There are sequences when the script isn’t as strong as it could be, and the visual effects can come off as cheesy. But there are also components of the film that add substantial quality to the production, including the cast. Monkey Beach is led by a charismatic performance from Grace Dove playing present day Lisa. Additionally, Tina Lameman, playing the traditional yet light-hearted and often humorous Ma-Ma-Oo, is a perfectly endearing supporting character who I’d love to have as my own life coach of sorts.
And then there is the exquisite cinematography of the lush Pacific Northwest terrain region that makes Monkey Beach a feast for the eyes. Aerial views of the British Columbian waterways and panning shots within the forests combine with a haunting score establish a beautifully ominous tone for this supernatural mystery.
Monkey Beach blends family drama, traditional indigenous culture, and fantasy in ways I didn’t expect in order to convey a surprisingly deep and compelling narrative. Like the ghosts and spirits that follow Lisa throughout life, Monkey Beach is one of those movies that will likely stick with you for a long time.
Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 1 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 1 | Reviewer's Preference - 1 | What does this mean?
Streaming on VIFF Connect for BC Residents until October 7:
Due to high demand at VIFF, availability for this feature may be sold out.