Minari Movie Review
A gorgeous ‘slice of life’ about the American dream
By Jude Jordi-Donnelly, film reporter
A gorgeous ‘slice of life’ about the American dream
By Jude Jordi-Donnelly, film reporter
I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to visit a movie theater for the first time in almost an entire year, and I’m even more happy to say that I was able to mark this visit with a wonderful film. 2019’s Parasite opened the eyes of American audiences to foreign films like no other has before. It racked up six Oscars and confirmed writer/director Bong Joon-Ho’s legendary status. Had it not been for this movie, I don’t think we would have ever gotten to see a film like Minari. Minari, like Parasite, is a Korean film, and is what I believe to be 2020’s best foreign film, and is destined for a slew of Oscar nominations this March.
Minari is about a Korean family that moves from California to Arkansas in an attempt to revive their American dream. The father, named Jacob, played by Steven Yeun, who you may know better as Glen from AMC’s The Walking Dead, buys a plot of land where he hopes to start a farm growing and selling Korean vegetables. Every performance in this film is outstanding. Steven Yeun and Han Yi-Ri, who plays his wife, are so good. Yeun balances perfectly between a man who knows he needs to support his family and someone who wants to chase their dream. Han Yi-Ri plays Monica, his counterpart, and she gives a beautifully unguarded and vulnerable performance. Youn Yuh-Jung, who plays Monica’s mother is also fantastic as well as hilarious. Which is another great thing about this film, it can be very funny. It balances its drama and its comedy very well. The two child performances given in this movie are also good; especially Alan S. Kim who plays the young son of Monica and Jacob. The relationship that develops between him and his Grandmother is really the heart and soul of this movie. It is heartbreaking seeing this family struggle to stay together in what seems like a hopeless situation, but the movie never feels melodramatic. The highest praise I have for this movie is how real it's characters feel. The family, and the people they meet, all feel completely organic. There isn’t a single artificial character on screen.
Aside from it's narrative and performances, the film looks gorgeous. The cinematography is immense throughout the entire film, especially during the film's climax. The editing is flawless and writer/director Lee Isaac Chung proves to be extremely gifted behind the camera. Despite being relatively simplistic, it's production is layered and meticulous, not skimping out on any detail.
This film offers so much in such a simple way. It's not overly long, it's not heavy handed in any of it's messages, but it's themes shine through so bright that this film is almost impossible not to enjoy, even if you have to read half of the dialogue! I’d like to quote Bong Joon Ho in saying, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” In 2021, make it your goal to watch at least one foriegn language movie. There are amazing films and filmmakers all over the world. By only watching the same formulaic American movie(s) that Hollywood pumps out every year, you’re really doing yourself a disservice. Had I watched this movie when it first came out a couple months ago, it likely would’ve made my list for the top ten movies of last year.
Minari gets an A
Minari is about a Korean family that moves from California to Arkansas in an attempt to revive their American dream. The father, named Jacob, played by Steven Yeun, who you may know better as Glen from AMC’s The Walking Dead, buys a plot of land where he hopes to start a farm growing and selling Korean vegetables. Every performance in this film is outstanding. Steven Yeun and Han Yi-Ri, who plays his wife, are so good. Yeun balances perfectly between a man who knows he needs to support his family and someone who wants to chase their dream. Han Yi-Ri plays Monica, his counterpart, and she gives a beautifully unguarded and vulnerable performance. Youn Yuh-Jung, who plays Monica’s mother is also fantastic as well as hilarious. Which is another great thing about this film, it can be very funny. It balances its drama and its comedy very well. The two child performances given in this movie are also good; especially Alan S. Kim who plays the young son of Monica and Jacob. The relationship that develops between him and his Grandmother is really the heart and soul of this movie. It is heartbreaking seeing this family struggle to stay together in what seems like a hopeless situation, but the movie never feels melodramatic. The highest praise I have for this movie is how real it's characters feel. The family, and the people they meet, all feel completely organic. There isn’t a single artificial character on screen.
Aside from it's narrative and performances, the film looks gorgeous. The cinematography is immense throughout the entire film, especially during the film's climax. The editing is flawless and writer/director Lee Isaac Chung proves to be extremely gifted behind the camera. Despite being relatively simplistic, it's production is layered and meticulous, not skimping out on any detail.
This film offers so much in such a simple way. It's not overly long, it's not heavy handed in any of it's messages, but it's themes shine through so bright that this film is almost impossible not to enjoy, even if you have to read half of the dialogue! I’d like to quote Bong Joon Ho in saying, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” In 2021, make it your goal to watch at least one foriegn language movie. There are amazing films and filmmakers all over the world. By only watching the same formulaic American movie(s) that Hollywood pumps out every year, you’re really doing yourself a disservice. Had I watched this movie when it first came out a couple months ago, it likely would’ve made my list for the top ten movies of last year.
Minari gets an A