Sundance 2021: Son of Monarchs
sundance 2021Whilst filmmaker Alexis Gambis has struggled to connect with audiences with his previous features, his newest work – Son of Monarchs, which is streaming as part of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival – feels rather undeniable in talent. Following Mendel (Tenoch Huerta), a young man who has to come to terms with his complex emotional past and confused identity when he returns to his hometown in Mexico, Son of Monarchs is a layered and multifaceted character drama that feels quite special.
When it comes to objective qualities that the film carries, there are a handful that stand out – with one of the largest being the performances within the feature. Tenoch Huerta truly gives a breakout performance in the lead role of Mendel, who is a personable yet troubled man. Though he survives perfectly fine in modern society, deeper within him lies turmoil and unresolved trauma that, in many ways, Mendel is trying to close with nearly everything he does. The film is not at all on the nose about these layers, letting the audience slowly put the pieces together for themselves. However, when it needs to, it does shine through – largely due to the performance from Huerta.
The screenplay within the film, also coming from Alexis Gambis, is also quite stellar. Not only does Gambis paint the inner drama and dysfunction within Mendel in a mature and intriguing sense, but the film has much more to say than just accepting dead parents. Son of Monarchs is a film that has a clearly inspired and authentic voice when it comes to highlighting the social dynamics that immigration can cause as Mendel has to accept the consequences – both positive and negative – of him leaving his family alongside his brother to become scientists in the United States. This is a choice that has not only a deep impact on Mendel but also the family around him who have to deal with added hardship and pain due to this choice. There is no easy answer, and Mendel finds himself torn on a fundamental level between multiple identities with hostile voices and emotions on each side. It is clear that Gambis is drawing from aspects of his own personal life, as these scenes and concepts strike with an authentic power that feels like a slice of reality rather than a work of fiction.
Largely, the film also feels this way when it comes to atmosphere and world building. Whilst there are some more fictionalised elements, especially at the end of the film, there is an authentic life to the world found within Son of Monarchs. The world that the film paints – from the streets of New York City to the lush landscape of Mexico – feel alive. Largely helped by the strong cinematography from Alejandro Mejía, the atmosphere and energy of each location are so well realised that the audience can't help but get sucked into the film's world and feel like they have been transported to whatever location the film is taking place in. Again, this ties back to the backbone of authenticity that can be found throughout the film that really does elevate the material overall.
As far as issues, the only real one would be the pacing at times. Son of Monarchs is a film that asks a lot from the audience, especially towards the middle of the film. The movie doesn't reveal its cards fully with what characters are feeling and their motives, and the film is rather slow and repetitive, showing these characters' lives without telling the audience why they should care. Whilst this explanation is eventually found and, on rewatches, this probably won't be an issue at all, there will be audience members that check out of the movie at this point and simply stop engaging with the film. The ending will be equally polarising. Whilst some audiences will have absolutely no issues with the more bold ideas the film ends up rolling with, some will feel disconnected and let down as the film, which is largely based in reality up to that point, starts to let go of that tie. It isn't ridiculous enough to ruin the film, but for some it will feel like a step down from the rest of the feature.
Still, Son of Monarchs is a largely impressive film that is both relevant and poignant. The film has an authentic and genuine voice that shines bright, becoming an engaging and worthwhile character study for anyone who is able to get sucked into the film and not be bothered by the slower moments. It is a film that asks the audience to work for the deeper emotional breakthroughs, but once there the feature feels worth the work.
