Mon ami Dodger

I saw this at the dollar theater several years ago on a rainy day with my friend Andrea, who was pregnant and we wanted to see a good family movie. I'm not a big supporter of seeing monkeys as the star of films, but this was a good one. All the little girl (Thora Birch, who several years later became famous for playing the daughter in American Beauty) wanted was a pet, and the writers crafted a cute, touching story. Good performances all around.

I don't remember why or how I ever bothered to sit through this travesty of a film the makers of it would even call it a kid's or even a family movie for that matter! I saw this when it was out in the theaters, I don't remember who I saw it with or if the ticket sales were half-price. I almost walked out, but unfortunately, I managed to sit right through it.

If you are offended by middle-child stereotypes, this movie is full of them! Poor little Eva in this movie was feeling neglected because of the attention her bratty baby brother was getting. She was also an outcast, unorganized in school, cared more about watching TV than her schoolwork, had no repsect for her family, only had one friend, and yet she wanted a pet and boy golly does she get one! It's a monkey who was trained to be a thief! Ooh, how intriguing! (I was being sarcastic there, excuse me!)

I think this movie also teaches kids that being irresponsible, and going around doing whatever you wanted without your parents consent just like Eva did in this flick is okay. When she was getting kidnapped by Harvey Keital, I wanted to shout, "Take her away!"

Eva was like a female version of Kevin McCallaster from Home Alone. Also, another thing about her was that she was a precocious kid who was too smart for her own good, especially the way she was running around L.A. by herself with her theiving monkey friend. I think that precocious kid plot has been _way_ overused in movies, cartoons, sit-coms, and in the history of all entertainment. The more of that, the more kids are going to think it's okay to be a smart-alleck!

I think it's a crime to recommend this pathetic excuse for a 'Family/Kids' movie. I feel sorry for Thora Birch for even being in this movie, for and playing Eva! So, please, stay away from this! Friends don't let friends watch Monkey Trouble!

I watched this repeatedly as a kid and caught it on the movie channel just recently. I enjoyed it just as much as back then. Yes it's a kids movie that seems to have been forgotten, what a shame! Thora Birch was perfect for the role. She plays a young girl who wants a pet but denied by her mom and step-dad (he's allergic to animal fur), who is played by Christopher McDonald. A face that brings you right back to the 90s for sure. Out of luck, a little monkey finds Eva (Thora Birch) as he has ran away from his abusive owner. She takes him in as her pet but as a secret and names him Dodger, she soon finds Dodger is a lot of work and comes with some some bad behaviour that causes her trouble. If you have kids or are a 90s kid I recommend it. It's fun, lighthearted and feels like summer.

No, seriously I've seen tons of Family movies, some are heartwarming, some are deep, some shallow but funny, and after watching how many of my favorites Family movies have been re-made I kinda thought ideas are running out and mainly I've seen it all. Every once in a while, however, I stumble upon an old flick that for whatever reason I had skipped in the past and leaves me really impressed. I picked this title because I loved little Thora Birch in "Patriot Games and "Paradise" and I thought let's give it a try, I read also that Harvey Keitel was in it, so I thought maybe there is a good movie that I've missed. Didn't expect much, after all I've seen it all in Family movies, dolphins, gorillas, orcas, mice, parrots, cats, dogs, llamas, so what a monkey could bring in addition to that. Well, when you think you've seen it all, something will stun you, that is this movie, Thora Birch at her best no doubt about it, the monkey is so funny, and script absolutely hilarious, specially about the confusion over framing the adorable protagonist as a common thief, well I'm not gonna give anything up, but give it a try I bet you will enjoy it.

Thora Birch made this such a wonderful movie to watch and Harvey Keitel added great substance as the villain. One of the best family friendly adventures of the 90's! Lovely morals in it too - it teaches you right from wrong in the sweetest way possible.