In Tommaso Landucci’s narrative debut feature Children of the Monkey, Dario is the loving father of Enrico, a disabled child who needs constant monitoring. Perhaps because he imagines how much easier life would be if he had an able-bodied child, he starts showing interest in his teenage nephew Giacomo, takes him under his wing, and teaches him how to ride his old dirt bike. This starts to strain his relationships with his wife and his brother.
It is a slice-of-life drama without any big twists and turns. Some viewers will be moved by it, while others will likely be indifferent. I did not mind it, but the bare-bones approach did not really work for me either. The 4:3 aspect ratio and the 16mm photography did not seem to serve much purpose here.
Riccardo Scamarcio is the film’s greatest asset. His portrayal of Dario masterfully balances his frustrations with his affection and devotion. In time, his performance will likely be what I remember most about the film.
I was surprised to see the 98-year-old James Ivory listed as the executive producer in the end credits and find out that he has been a mentor to Landucci.
