Someone who has made a career from monkeying around is Nina Conti. Daughter of acclaimed Scottish actor Tom Conti, Nina has been performing as a ventriloquist for a number of years, with probably her most well known character being Monkey, who is eager to put Conti in her place.

She takes monkeying to a whole new level however with her directorial debut, as she stars as a human-sized version of Monkey, in this touching, trippy road movie.

Getting ready to check out of his New Mexico motel room is Roy (Shenoah Allen), but when we say ‘check out’ we mean permanently, as he’s about to take his own life.

Catching him in the process is Monkey (Conti), who saves him, and the pair are soon on the road in Roy’s Airstream RV.

Monkey is keen to get away himself as Jane (Conti), who is in the suit, is running away from her step-father.

To thank Monkey for saving his life, Roy says that he’s entitled to half of the money he intends by selling his late father’s watch, which is worth around $20,000.

The only problem is he’s still wearing it, six feet under, which leads the odd couple on quite a road trip.

As if having a hand up a monkey’s bum wasn’t enough, Conti climbs into a full size costume to bring Monkey to life.

But as surreal as it sounds, and is, her debut is an exploration of the mental health of her two protagonists. There is Roy, who having already attempted to take his own life, is in a fragile state mentally.

And then there’s Jane, who feels inadequate in her human persona, and finds strength in adopting a new identity, that of the confident monkey.

The pair find comfort in each other, as they drive off into the distance. And this closeness turns into something more...romantic, and although it shouldn’t work, on screen it does. Much of this is down to quite a remarkable performance from Conti, who is rarely seen in human form, and although the Monkey costume isn’t exactly advanced technology, she still manages to convey a gamut of emotions.

It’s a tribute to both actors that their genuine relationship transcends the outrageous scenario. They manage to convey the pain they both have, and are keen to run away from, in order to have a better life.

It will no doubt also go down with the furry community (those who enjoy dressing up in animal costumes and appreciate the company of others who do the same), especially as it gets a little fruity in places, but it only reinforces the vulnerability in being human.

There’s no doubt Conti’s debut is bonkers, but wonderfully so, proving that monkeying around can pay off.