Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators 2017
Distributed by Passion River Films, 154 Mt. Bethel Rd., Warren, NJ 07059; 732-321-0711
Produced by Ema Ryan Yamazaki and Emily Harrold
Directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki
DVD, color, 81 min.
K-General Adult
Authors, Children’s Literature, Illustrators, Jews
Date Entered: 11/15/2017
Reviewed by Sophie M. Forrester, Reed Library, State University of New York at FredoniaMonkey Business is a delightful film biography of Margret and Hans Rey, the married couple who wrote and illustrated (respectively) the beloved Curious George book series. The film explores many aspects of the Reys’ lives, including their creative processes, their flight from antisemitic persecution in Europe, and their mismatched personalities.
Part of what makes the film so enjoyable is its immediacy to its subjects, as it includes interviews with the couple’s now-grown child neighbors, Margret’s former employees, and their editor’s assistant. But its bells and whistles add to the enjoyment, with animation in Hans’ style supplementing interviewees’ stories, and narration by Sam Waterston.
Of course, the film’s main audience will be those who fondly recall the books from their childhood, but it is written at such a level to be appropriate for young viewers as well. What’s more, its examination of historical events surrounding World War II and the Holocaust, and their effect on the Reys, makes it appealing to viewers who are only passingly familiar with the books. It is highly recommended for public libraries, and for K-12 and academic libraries serving elementary school teachers.