B. Monkey

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Movie Info

In this witty romantic thriller, Alan (Jared Harris) is a London schoolteacher who leads a quiet, mildly stuffy life. As a hobby, he serves as a jazz disc jockey, spinning tunes for a hospital's public address system, but he craves danger and excitement. One night, Alan stops into a bar for a drink and sees Beatrice (Asia Argento), a beautiful woman who is arguing with two men. Alan is immediately enraptured by Beatrice and begins to pursue her. What Alan doesn't know is that Beatrice is an infamous thief known to the police as "B. Monkey" (named for her ability to break into anything), and the men she was quarreling with were Paul (Rupert Everett) and Bruno (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a gay couple who are her partners in crime. When Alan becomes aware of Beatrice's secret, he tries to lead her into a safer and more honest way of life, even as she lures him into the thrilling existence he's been dreaming of. Leading lady Asia Argento is the daughter of Italian horror auteur Dario Argento.

Rating:

R
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
Directed By:

Michael Radford
Written By:

Michael Thomas, Carole King, Michael Radford
In Theaters:

Sep 10, 1999 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Mar 21, 2000
Runtime:

90 minutes
Studio:

Miramax

Watch it now

Netflix

Cast

Asia Argento
as Beatrice

Jared Harris
as Alan

Rupert Everett
as Paul

Jonathan Rhys Meyers
as Bruno

Julie T. Wallace
as Mrs. Sturge

Ian Hart
as Steve

Tim Woodward
as Frank

Bryan Pringle
as Goodchild

Clare Higgins
as Cherry

Simone Bowkett
as Angie

Marc Warren
as Terence

Camilo Gallardo
as Barman

Michael Carlin
as Carlo

Paul Ireland
as Barman

Elisabeth Ash
as Nurse

Catherine Carter
as Joy

Kate McGeever
as Judith

Jason Ross
as Rudy

Amanda Boxer
as Tory Lady

Vincent Regan
as Johnny Hart

Michael Fitzgerald
as Magnus

Kerry Shale
as Texan

Garry Catlin
as Jim Arkwright

Jason Howard
as Ricky Sturge

Tony Cyrus
as Algerian Man

Paul Angelis
as Gangster

Robin Lermitte
as Manager

Dick Brannick
as Mr. Gibson

Seretta Wilson
as Texan Wife

Eddie Marsan
as Young Thug

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Critic Reviews for B. Monkey

All Critics (19) | Top Critics (5)

Even with all the film's problems, Argento's charisma keeps things relatively interesting for lengthy stretches of time.

Feb 5, 2018 | Full Review…

Paul Tatara
CNN.com
Top Critic
This is a terrible film, and often times very boring, droning, and unrealistic...

Apr 29, 2009 | Full Review…

Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
No one does enough to overcome its formulaic crime story, its lack of gritty authenticity and its squishy inert romance.

Feb 10, 2009 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Shows stretch marks from the start.

Apr 17, 2001 | Rating: short | Full Review…

Chuck Rudolph
Matinee Magazine
. . . you have the stunning Rhys-Myers to look at. Thick lips and wild eyes have never found a better face to land on.

Apr 8, 2001 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

Brandon Judell
PopcornQ
A cold piece of machinery.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
Hands down, it's one of the outstanding films of the year.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…

Thom Bennett
Film Journal International

View All Critic Reviews (19)

Audience Reviews for B. Monkey

Oct 15, 2007

While this certainly doesn't satisfy as a thriller, beneath the gritty exterior and all the expletives there lurks a sweet, rather old-fashioned love story. Not a great movie, but quite charming all the same. Rupert Everett stands out as a world-weary drug dealer/addict.

Stephen M Super Reviewer