The athletic law student Allan Mann (Jason Beghe) is running on the street when a dog attacks him, and he is hit by a truck. He becomes quadriplegic and his house is adapted to his new way of life with a nurse helping him. After a few days, he tries to commit suicide. His best friend, scientist Geoffrey Fisher (John Pankow), is performing genetic experiments with monkeys and looks for Melanie Parker (Kate McNeil), who trains monkeys for disabled people. He offers his best monkey, Ella, to be trained to help Allan. Soon Melanie delivers Ella to Allan and his life changes for better. However, Geoffrey continues to inject Ella with his experimental drug, and she establishes a dangerous mental connection with Allan, and he believes Ella is capable of killing those that Allan hate.
"Monkey Shines" is one of the best George A. Romero's films, with the tense story of a genetically altered monkey that becomes connected to its owner. The plot is anguishing since Allan Mann is not able to move and sees what is happening. Kate McNeil is very beautiful in the role of Melanie Parker and shows perfect chemistry with Jason Beghe. John Pankow is the typical "mad scientist", injecting experimental drugs in the monkeys to improve their intelligences. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Instinto Fatal" ("Fatal Instinct")
"Monkey Shines" is one of the best George A. Romero's films, with the tense story of a genetically altered monkey that becomes connected to its owner. The plot is anguishing since Allan Mann is not able to move and sees what is happening. Kate McNeil is very beautiful in the role of Melanie Parker and shows perfect chemistry with Jason Beghe. John Pankow is the typical "mad scientist", injecting experimental drugs in the monkeys to improve their intelligences. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Instinto Fatal" ("Fatal Instinct")