Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie

Matt Roush says...

As a grieving client sobs on his shoulder, the chronically fastidious Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) offers the only condolence he knows how to express: “It’s OK. I have other jackets.” Fans of the former USA Network hit Monk (2002-09) will be thrilled to see Shalhoub return to the role that won him three Emmys, and he hasn’t lost a single quirk in the 14 years since his last episode. Monk, however, is in a very dark emotional space when his Last Case begins, still suffering depression from during the pandemic and feeling forgotten when his obsessive memoir is rejected by publishers. Restoring his sense of purpose, as the ghost of his wife Trudy (Melora Hardin) looks on, is stepdaughter Molly (Caitlin McGee), whose journalist fiancé dies in a bizarre bungee-jumping tragedy. From the time we meet the tech mogul (James Purefoy) the victim recently interviewed, we know who’s to blame. The fun is in watching Monk figure it out while overcoming his personal issues and coming to grips with a life well lived. It’s great to see him back, along with other familiar faces from the original series.

What's Worth Watching (Dec 8)