Watch Bonobo

Bonobo is a thought-provoking 2014 drama directed by Matthew Hammett Knott. Set in England, the movie is an exploration of the complexities of human relationships and sexuality, and the possible implications of non-traditional family structures. The film opens with Judith (Tessa Peake-Jones), a middle-aged divorcee, arriving at the house of her son Ralph (James Norton), where she discovers that he is living with a group of people who practice 'bonobo' culture. Ralph and his friends believe that non-traditional family structures and sexual relationships are natural, and they are trying to create a way of life that reflects those beliefs. They live together as a family, sharing responsibilities and resources, and engaging in sexual relationships with each other in a casual and non-judgmental way.

The group is made up of a diverse range of characters, including Theo (Will Tudor), a young man with a history of drug addiction who has found stability and acceptance in the bonobo community, and Charlotte (Eleanor Wyld), a free-spirited woman who is in a sexual relationship with Ralph. The community is held together by a strong sense of belonging and mutual support, but their way of life is threatened when Ralph's mother, Judith, turns up at the house.

Judith is deeply uncomfortable with the bonobo culture, and finds it difficult to come to terms with the fact that her son is living in a non-traditional family structure. She is particularly disturbed by the sexual relationships between members of the group, and finds it hard to understand how they can separate sex from emotions, or have sex with more than one person without feeling jealous or possessive. Despite her misgivings, however, Judith decides to stay with Ralph and try to understand the bonobo culture better.

As the film progresses, we see Judith grappling with her own beliefs and values, and struggling to reconcile her discomfort with Ralph's way of life with her love for her son. She begins to form bonds with some of the members of the group, particularly Theo, whom she sees as a lost soul in need of a mother figure. At the same time, however, she remains deeply uneasy about the sexual relationships between members of the group, and is sometimes unable to hide her feelings of disgust and disapproval.

The tensions between Judith and the bonobo community come to a head when Ralph and Charlotte decide to have a baby together, and ask Theo to be the sperm donor. Judith is horrified by the idea of bringing a child into such an unconventional family structure, and tries to persuade Ralph to reconsider. When her attempts fail, she decides to take matters into her own hands, with disastrous consequences for everyone involved.

Bonobo is a beautifully shot and sensitively acted film that tackles complex and controversial issues with intelligence and nuance. The performances of the cast are particularly noteworthy, with James Norton in particular giving a powerful performance as Ralph, a young man torn between his love for his mother and his loyalty to his chosen family. Tessa Peake-Jones is also excellent as Judith, bringing depth and complexity to a character who could easily have been a one-dimensional antagonist. The film is a meditation on the meaning of 'family' in a world where traditional family structures are no longer taken for granted, and raises important questions about the role of love and sexuality in modern society.

Bonobo is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.