Minari is a Korean drama film directed by Lee Isaac Chung. It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-Jung, and Will Patton and was released on 26th February 2021 on Video on Demand.
Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun) and his family move from California to Arkansas where Jacob wants to do farming. He wants to grow Korean crops to sell them to suppliers in Dallas. His wife Monica Yi (Han Ye-ri) is upset about moving to this rural land and living on a house on wheels though Jacob is positive about everything. Their son David (Alan Kim) has a weak heart condition and is constantly told not to run. Jacob and Monica work in a nursery as chicken sexers. To help them in home, Monica's mom Soon-Ja (Youn Yuh-Jung) arrives from Korea and what happens after this...are they happy restarting their lives in a new place? What happens to David? For that, you've to watch Minari.
Written by Lee Isaac Chung, Minari is a heartwarming and poignant tale of an immigrant Korean family trying to live their lives in America overcoming all hardships. The most beautiful aspects of the film are the characters, cinematography, and screenplay. Jacob doesn't show how frustrated he's in his life, not able to succeed in anything and desperately trying to prove that he's not a failure. But this is all hidden, he appears to be positive, cheerful, spends time with his son David, teaching him that they're Koreans, and they use their minds.
Contrary to Jacob, his wife is upset, frustrated, and lonely and she doesn't shy away to express her feelings and rage. Even it has to be in front of their children. The first half an hour is very tensed and full of hardcore emotions, and then enters Soon-Ja, Monica's mom, who doesn't know to cook, plays poker games, uses tons of cuss words. David, a cute and adorable son, who has a weak heart condition steals every second with his presence. His bonding with his grandmother is so authentic, you'll relate to them, the grandma grandson bonding, and David playing pranks with his grandma is just of another level and brings a lightness from all the heavy emotions.
The elder daughter is the ideal daughter taking care of her mother and her brother and overall Chung's portrayal of the family is so real it's almost like any other family. The problems they're facing, financially and water problems, are pertinent to almost every lower-middle-class family. Chung wins your heart with such a nuanced portrayal of an immigrant family, in which you'll see your own, their conversations, their pains, their emotions are very just natural and real. While watching you'll feel like something has broken inside you, it's hurting, you're sobbing, but you'll smile too.
Steven Yeun will conquer your heart with his restrained performance. Such a layered character and phenomenal performance. Just watch him when Monica in one scene says 'it's not working out for them'. Han Ye-ri as Monica has given another enthralling performance. With the feeling of frustrations, helplessness, anger, she emotes everything perfectly. Alan Kim is undeniably the star of the show. His charm and overdose of cuteness will make you fall in love with him. He's so natural, it's unbelievable. Youn Yuh-Jung is the show-stealer, a grandma who doesn't look like a grandma, this line is perfect for her. She brings in the laughter here and not for the audience but for his grandson too. Noel Kate Cho as Anne Yi also did her best.
The cinematography by Lachlan Milne is stunning. There are no words to describe how beautiful the film looks. The greenery and every action are captured wonderfully. The production design by Yong Ok Lee is another finest thing in the film to see, it's natural and appropriate. The music by Emile Mosseri is heart-touching and the editing by Harry Yoon is spot on.
Minari, in one word, is emotional. The characters and their dynamics are amazingly fleshed out here, it is just like another family, your own maybe, or your next door. That's why you'll love it. The emotions are so pure and genuine, it touches you instantly and you'll cry even. Steven Yeun and Han Ye-ri are the pillars whereas Alan Kim and Youn Yuh-Jung bring plentiful humor. It's just the perfect film, not a Parasite (totally a different genre) but Minari might take the Oscars this time too. Chances are less, but who knows!!
Rating:- 4.5/5
Now available on Video On Demand.
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