A recent quadriplegic named Allan(Jason Beghe), and former track star, finds it hard coping with life having been confined to a wheelchair. His friend Geoffrey(John Pankow)is conducting experiments on a certain monkey named Ella which is through a hypodermic filled with a serum that derives from trimmings of frozen human brains in liquefied form. The experiments are about continuing the evolution of primate life into carrying more human characteristics. As Geoff tells his boss, Dr. Burbage(great character actor Stephen Root of OFFICE SPACE fame)Ella was already highly intelligent even before the experiments started, but something much more sinister develops when she becomes Allan's animal aide. Ella grows quite attached to Allan and vice versa, but something between them occurs that defies rational explanation..they are psychologically linked somehow meaning that when Ella goes out into the night, Allan sees through her eyes. It doesn't stop there..Allan feels what Ella feels and others around him see his behavioral changes which are unlike him such as outbursts of anger and profanity. Allan tries telling others about his link with Ella, but you can understand why they might be worried about his state of mind. But, soon Ella's aggressive nature turns violent and death to others that pose a threat either physically or emotionally(such as a girlfriend who leaves him after his accident for the doctor who performed an operation on his spine)occur.
Melanie(Kate McNeil)is a specialist in the training of monkeys in how they assist those in need of an aide. She is the one that was coerced by Geoff into training Ella to help Allan. Allan and Melanie, as the film continues, fall in love. Melanie will pose a direct threat to Ella as the monkey can not stand others coming between her and Allan. Dorothy(Joyce Van Patten)is Allan's mother, a woman who wishes to help Allan but is more bothersome and intrusive than she realizes. Christine Forrest, the director George Romero's wife, portrays Maryanne, a belligerent nurse who complains all the time in regards to how bothersome Allan and his monkey are towards making her life miserable. Maryanne has a parrot which flies into Allan's unprotected face too often and will suffer for it.
The longer the film continues, the more it induces eye-rolling..the premise is so outrageous and preposterous, it's hard not to chuckle. It is one of George's most Hollywood-ish films often allowing contrivances so that Allan will escape dangerous situations when Ella goes on violent. The whole "link" between man and primate thanks to an experimental concoction by Geoff is never fully explained satisfactorily leaving a gaping plot hole that is a wart to what the film is trying to accomplish. It's one thing to let a monkey get away with what Ella does, but another to ask us to believe that Allan feels and sees what she does. Thankfully Kate McNeil is a delightful, welcome presence in the film bringing some class to a rather mundane Romero effort. Disappointing film can not really build suspense because of the stupid story-line. If I wasn't such an Admirer of George's work, my rating would be lower.
Melanie(Kate McNeil)is a specialist in the training of monkeys in how they assist those in need of an aide. She is the one that was coerced by Geoff into training Ella to help Allan. Allan and Melanie, as the film continues, fall in love. Melanie will pose a direct threat to Ella as the monkey can not stand others coming between her and Allan. Dorothy(Joyce Van Patten)is Allan's mother, a woman who wishes to help Allan but is more bothersome and intrusive than she realizes. Christine Forrest, the director George Romero's wife, portrays Maryanne, a belligerent nurse who complains all the time in regards to how bothersome Allan and his monkey are towards making her life miserable. Maryanne has a parrot which flies into Allan's unprotected face too often and will suffer for it.
The longer the film continues, the more it induces eye-rolling..the premise is so outrageous and preposterous, it's hard not to chuckle. It is one of George's most Hollywood-ish films often allowing contrivances so that Allan will escape dangerous situations when Ella goes on violent. The whole "link" between man and primate thanks to an experimental concoction by Geoff is never fully explained satisfactorily leaving a gaping plot hole that is a wart to what the film is trying to accomplish. It's one thing to let a monkey get away with what Ella does, but another to ask us to believe that Allan feels and sees what she does. Thankfully Kate McNeil is a delightful, welcome presence in the film bringing some class to a rather mundane Romero effort. Disappointing film can not really build suspense because of the stupid story-line. If I wasn't such an Admirer of George's work, my rating would be lower.