Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George's Creators

Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George's Creators is a heartwarming and inspirational documentary that brilliantly captures the life and legacy of H.A. and Margret Rey, the creators of everyone's favorite mischievous monkey, Curious George. Released in 2017, the film skillfully intertwines narration, animation, and personal interviews to chronicle the extraordinary story of the couple behind one of the most beloved characters in children's literature.

Director Ema Ryan Yamazaki masterfully starts the narrative with the Reys' humble origins. H.A Rey, born Hans Augusto Reyersbach in Hamburg, Germany, and Margret Rey, originally Margret Waldstein, hailed from Hamburg and Rio de Janeiro, respectively. The two were brought together by a shared love for art and adventure, foreshadowing their future work. Their life was anything but ordinary, literally embodying their creation's playful spirit of wanderlust and curiosity.

The film covers the couple's early life in Brazil and exciting Parisian honeymoon where Curious George was born. However, the joyous time was cut short by World War II's onset that forced the Jewish couple to flee from the Nazis on homemade bicycles, carrying their Curious George manuscript along with them. Painstakingly piecing together the lesser-known story of their daring escape, Yamazaki highlights the very real peril the Reys faced in getting their now-iconic creation out of Europe and into the safety of the United States.

Once settled in New York City, the couple’s devotion towards their 'child', George, pays off. Their stories about the playful primate attract the attention of a publisher, leading to Curious George’s introduction to the world. The documentary's second half focuses on the popularity and impact of their work on generations of readers and educators.

The film makes extensive use of lovely animated sequences, styled to mimic the original Curious George illustrations. These animated segments depict the couple's life events, adding a layer of charm and whimsy to the narrative. Furthermore, they serve as a very effective storytelling tool, bridging the gap between the past and present, blending reality and fiction in a particularly unique style. They bring to life the personalities of H.A. and Margret Rey, and the love, determination, and inventiveness shared by the real-life couple are reflected in the adventures of their immortal character.

Narrated primarily by Sam Waterston, the documentary also offers a wealth of intimate testimonials and insights. These come from various interviewees, including Louise Borden, the author of children's biography about the Reys, as well as Nat Scrimshaw and Nick Scrimshaw, the Rey's long-time friends. Their reflections, complemented by family photographs and personal memoirs, unveil the couple's unique chemistry, eccentricity, and mutual respect. The film does not shy away from their quirks, painting a wonderfully honest portrait of a pair of talented and very different individuals whose shared curiosity and resilience shaped their lives and their work.

Monkey Business is not just about the legacy of Curious George; it's a testament to the perseverance and creativity of his creators. It speaks to the power of literature and the influence that stories and characters can have on generations of readers. This film offers an insight into the distinctive style and magic brought by Margret and H.A. Rey into the world of children's literature. It’s a must-watch for anyone who has grown up reading Curious George's stories or those interested in the remarkable lives and journey of his creators.

Ultimately, this film is a tribute to the art of storytelling, the enduring power of children's literature, and the individuals who create it. The unique narrative style, combined with an authentic portrayal of the Reys’ lives, makes ‘Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George's Creators’ a fascinating watch, regardless of the viewer's familiarity with the original stories or characters.