MINARI (2020)

Critic - No. 216

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Written by: Lee Isaac Chung

Produced by: Plan B

Casts: Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, Will Patton, Scott Haze

Language: Korean, English

Genre: Drama

Music: Emile Mosseri

SYNOPSIS: 

Hoping to run his own farm, Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun) moves his wife Monica (Yeri Han) and two children, Anne (Noel Kate Cho) and David (Alan Kim), to a plot of land in Arkansas.

 

REVIEW:

 Minari is a semi-autobiographical take on writer and director Lee Isaac Chung’s life in a family of Korean immigrants in Arkansas in the 1980s. The film kicks off with the initial conflict of Monica’s frustration about living in a trailer in the middle of nowhere rooting for the sense of home. This marital tension simmers throughout the film and is realised in the occasional conflict.

The family dynamics take a shift upon the arrival of Monica's mother Soon-ja (Youn Yuh-jung). The veteran, Oscar winner, Youn is a delight to watch, especially when paired with newbie Kim, who is equally impressive. Though their relationship starts in a rough but endearing way, it gradually softens over their shared love for pro-wrestling, “mountain water” (Mountain Dew), and card games. Chung frames these moments as comedic interludes with heartwarming underlying emotion.

In regards to the central theme of home, there is a particular scene with which I closely resonated with. When Soon-ja arrives all the way from South Korea, she brings with her bags packed with Korean chili flakes and dried anchovies. Monica tears up instantly. There is a familiarity to this emotion that will resonate with anyone who has ever moved to a new city or country and can't find your favorite grocery essentials from back home. For me, that scene kind of nails the spine of the theme Chung is trying to reflect. 

The main strength of the film is how it brutally presents a clear picture and reiterates that the journey of hardship in a new land is never easy but is worth taking if you have your family by your side. To enhance the authenticity of the story, the film concludes with a nice metaphorical note where Minari is shown to signify our ability to restructure and regrow as humans, understanding that life always finds a way. Though the film sparks with strong dramatic moments, I felt the film could have started its conflict earlier with a slightly faster pace throughout.

Emile Mosseri’s uplifting music further enhances the circle of life concept conveying the emotion of hope and positivity very effectively. Lachlan Milne’s earthy cinematography warms your heart at each frame. 

VERDICT:

Overflowing with hope and positivity, Minari is a compelling drama about home and family, lifted by the powerful performances and Chung’s sharp cinematic expression.

CELLULOID METER- 4/5: