Why Vince Vaughn’s Bad Monkey should kickstart the ‘Vaughnaissance’

As a long-time follower of Vince Vaughn’s career, I can confidently say that the man has been through quite the rollercoaster ride. From his golden days of Frat Pack hits to the seemingly aimless projects of the 2010s, it seemed like the charm and wit we once knew were lost in the sands of time.

Once a highly profitable actor in Hollywood due to a streak of successful Frat Pack movies, Vince Vaughn experienced a decline in his acting career during the 2010s.

1. He seemed to meander aimlessly through less-than-engaging productions like The Internship – essentially a Google advertisement disguised as a workplace comedy. Additionally, he was part of the second season of True Detective, which suffered what might be one of the sharpest declines in quality among prestige TV series during its era.

However, the comedian appears to be returning to top form. His performance as a teenage cheerleader trapped in the body of a middle-aged serial killer in Freaky was exhilarating. Similarly, his appearances as Marty’s half-brother Freddy Funkhouser in Curb Your Enthusiasm and now in Apple TV+’s original series have revived the relaxed charisma and sharp humor that defined his prime.

In a unique twist of events, I find myself embodying the character of Andrew Yancy in “Bad Monkey,” a man who cherishes the simple joys of life. After an unconventional turn of events, I’ve been relegated from my role as a detective to a restaurant health inspector, having intentionally nudged my lover’s golf cart-driving spouse into the tranquil waters of the Florida Keys.

Eagerly seeking a break from filthy kitchens teeming with rats, the former police officer, despite being warned against it by his superiors, quickly found himself drawn into the most recent enigma of the archipelago: a floating severed arm discovered by a tourist on their boat.

Why Vince Vaughn’s Bad Monkey should kickstart the ‘Vaughnaissance’

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel, this 10-part series introduces an assortment of eccentric characters as the storyline unfolds into a complex web of conspiracy, encompassing matters such as insurance fraud and urban development. Characters include a socialite with a questionable reaction to her husband’s suspected gruesome death, a Bahamian fisherman driven by revenge over the destruction of his family’s beachfront home, and an intriguingly fond local voodoo priestess for the fisherman’s Capuchin monkey.

The titular creature, as you’d expect, steals the show, although he’s run a close second by Vaughn’s pitch-perfect performance as a man whose demeanour doesn’t always reflect his sunshine surroundings.

The narrator on the show remarks that he often feels a sense of warmth whenever he creates a lifelong foe, and the detective certainly has no shortage of these. For instance, there’s the real estate developer whose latest project encroaches upon his tranquil haven (“The stench of that decaying raccoon… or perhaps it’s just the aroma from the house itself?”). Or consider the self-styled ‘Lothario,’ whose questionable conquests may not be as accidental as one might think (“How on earth does an unemployed simpleton like you manage to purchase luxury items and oysters from the bank?”).

Bill Lawrence, who’s rapidly gaining recognition as Apple TV+’s hidden asset with hit series like Ted Lasso (the ultimate comfort watch during the pandemic) and Shrinking (marking Harrison Ford’s return to comedy), has acknowledged that many of the sharp-tongued jokes in his shows were improvised. He’s given his approval for this off-the-cuff humor.

“He shared with Entertainment Tonight that it was a delight for him to observe him craft things based on our writings so closely and see them turn out even better.”

Absolutely, it’s possible to contend that Vaughn’s excessive use of improvisation might have contributed to the decline of his comedic style, as evidenced by movies like The Dilemma and Anchorman 2, which both ran over two hours. However, in this film, Bad Monkey, he employs his one-liners judiciously, maintaining a connection to Hiaasen’s pulp fiction while also cultivating a unique, cynical tone of its own.

Why Vince Vaughn’s Bad Monkey should kickstart the ‘Vaughnaissance’

In truth, this character isn’t exactly the Vaughn from Old School, Dodgeball, and Wedding Crashers – those R-rated comedies he recently criticized Hollywood executives for being hesitant to produce in today’s IP-focused industry (the irony that his current project is based on a New York Times bestseller isn’t missed).

1) For starters, he’s about two decades older, and his humor tends to bring a grin rather than a full-blown laughter. However, given his innate comic talent, he manages to infuse most of the dialogue with an electric spark.

Vaughn gets a chance to exhibit the charming persona he showcased in his popular debut film Swingers, as he wines and dines Michelle Monaghan’s character Bonnie, a fugitive who frequently reappears in his life, only to leave again. However, Vaughn shares a stronger connection with Natalie Martinez’s character Rosa, a local medical examiner who finds excitement in breaking away from her routine, even when it jeopardizes her own safety.

Despite his strong connections, Yancy’s most captivating relationships seem to be with Rogelio (John Ortiz), a long-time friend and ex-colleague who often fills the part usually held by an actor like Owen Wilson. It’s a pity that the show doesn’t leverage their sparring dynamics – with Yancy’s reluctance to follow rules often sparking these interactions – more frequently.

It’s worth mentioning that Apple TV+ occasionally creates highly anticipated series featuring well-known stars such as Natalie Portman, Michael Douglas, and a large cast (like in Extrapolations), only to release them without much promotion. This pattern can result in the shows being overlooked or underappreciated.

If people are informed about Bad Monkey’s existence, it could have an impact on upcoming projects like Easy’s Waltz with Al Pacino and the anticipated Dodgeball sequel. By that time, the ‘Vaughnaissance’ (which I assume refers to a revival or resurgence of Vaughn’s career) might have already gained momentum.

2024-08-14 10:34

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