MONKEY BUSINESS

CAPSULE REVIEW –– You'd think with a cast like this directed by an acclaimed comedy genius, that this would be a great movie. Well, think again. It's certainly not a horrible picture, it just never captures the right manic energy to be a great screwball comedy. It has all the right elements – crazy plot, talented performers, quick dialogue and wild animals – it just doesn't quite come together. Grant is yet again a scientist on the verge of an amazing discovery, a sort of fountain of youth, that creates havoc in the lives of all who drink the stuff. Only it's not his formula. One of the test monkey's mixed a batch that actually causes the drinkers to regress back to their youth, mentally and to an extent physically. Grant's boss tries to get his hands on the stuff in order to market it and become rich. Craziness ensues as Grant and Rogers purposefully and unwittingly take the stuff. I just didn't find it all that funny to see the two of them acting like 10-year-olds. Wackiness is one thing. Childishness another. Though the scene where Grant gathers a bunch of kids together to scalp his romantic rival was priceless. MONKEY BUSINESS has it's moments, but overall it's too obvious in its humor for me. The talent of Grant and Rogers could have been put to better use. Marilyn plays Marilyn. HIS GIRL FRIDAY would be a better use of your cinema time.