Now that I've finished watching Monkey Man...I can't help but think of how this is a love letter to India. Yes, the movie focuses on the corruption, the fucked up officials, the casteism, the bigotry, the rot that exists within the country. But I've never seen such a clear depiction of the country done with so much love. The paan made with ungloved hands. The stray dog that will just show up. The hijra women and the statue of ardhanarishvar. A depiction of Hinduism built out of love and not out of the current fervor of hate that is gripping the country. Every small scene was so beautiful.
And I adore Dev Patel so much for this brutal portrayal of everything that's wrong with the country. The politician hiding behind the religious beliefs, the divisive comments causing hate and violence towards the minorities, people being forced out of their land because of some sham godsman. The corruption, the casteism, the ill treatment of the poor and the oppressed. It's all such stark reality.
The cinematography was great and the sound was also really awesome and I can just see how it's such a labour of love. This movie is everything and I can see why the Indian government wouldn't want it released...especially so close to the election. It exposes them too much