Sunlight is Nina Conti’s debut in the film world. It is an irreverent, outrageously funny, dark love story between a suicidal man and a woman too scared to emerge from a monkey suit.
This film is dividing – the comedy value is niche, infused with sarcasm and cheap toilet humour. However, the film’s overall premise, the setting and the situations, recover the comedy confidently. Jane, played by Nina Conti, is escaping a rough situation living and working in a motel. She has stolen a monkey suit and has run away to achieve her dreams of owning a pontoon and a banana boat business. Roy, played by Shenoah Allen, is about to hang himself in the motel when the sight of Monkey scares him into slipping off the chair and nearly hanging himself. And so forth, they become a pair, exploring complex themes of identity, mental health, and love.
Light humour ran effortlessly throughout the film, sometimes creating the feel of watching one of Conti’s live shows. All her ideas accumulated into one big, messy, brilliant story. Some jokes have me still laughing now, however others dragged, having been taken just a little too far to continue being funny.
“I’m Monkey through and through, like a potato”
Monkey is an extension of the character from Conti’s famous comedy shows, and it is a beautiful and hilarious character to witness on the big screen. Conti’s ability to act from within the monkey suit brings the character to life, cleverly defining the line between ‘Monkey’ and ‘Jane’ – alter egos of one another that appear to hate each other. Although the dialogue comes from behind a mask, it appears natural and loses no effect on the audience. Shenoah Allen effortlessly captures the character of Roy, and his development from a depressed and sullen man to a purposeful, free, and loveable character. The characters and their relationship are what really makes this film a spectacle to watch.
Pacing proved a bit of an issue for Sunlight – there were a lot of scenes of the van traversing the New Mexico countryside which felt a lot like time-killing when some of the more important and poignant scenes flew by too quickly for my taste. Combined with the toilet humour that dominates some of the scenes, Sunlight holds onto three stars for the strong characterisation, brilliant plot line, and the fantastic essence of Nina Conti’s classic comedy.
Before watching the film, I was unfamiliar with Conti’s live comedy act which she is known for. I felt that Monkey’s voice and nature were out of place and strange in the setting. Coincidentally, I had booked to see her at the Fringe festival and after witnessing the real Monkey, the film clicked into place. Monkey’s character, actions, and humour became enriched. A brief conversation with Monkey on stage about Sunlight left me humbled – “Maybe reviewing films isn’t for you if you have to ask me about the rating” – and sold me on Conti’s comedy forever.
To conclude…
In conclusion, if you like dark humour, wild and random plotlines, a bit of gore, and hilarious road trips, then you’re in for a treat with Sunlight.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from 15-21 August. Tickets and showings are available here. Brig’s coverage of the film festival can be found here.
Featured Image Credit: MIFF
Journalism student at the University of Stirling & BRAW Magazine editor 24/25 and 25/26 🙂
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