A One Mann’s Movies review of “Minari” (2021).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
In “Minari”, a struggling Korean immigrant family – the Yi’s led by Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica (Yeri Han) – leave California for Arkansas farmland to seek a better life. While employed sexing chicks at a factory, Jacob dreams of farming the land on which they live to improve their lives. But will his obsession for this dream stand between him and his family?
The tale is told through the eyes of young David (Alan S. Kim), who is struggling with a hole in the heart and doubts about his mortality. The arrival of Monica’s mother (Yuh-Jung Youn) is resented by David, but the woman is wise (as well as foul mouthed) and perhaps the pair will eventually learn to respect one another?
The titular Minari, growing on the backs of the stream. With Jacob (Steven Yeun) and David (Alan S. Kim). (Source: A24).
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Noel Cho, Yuh-Jung Youn, Darryl Cox.
Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung.
Written by: Lee Isaac Chung.
A Gran day out. Stars of the show David (Alan S. Kim) and Grandma (Yuh-Jung Youn) on the church bus. (Source: A24).
Review:
Positives:
- Gloriously bucolic cinematography (by Lachlan Milne) frames an engrossing story of an immigrant family striving for the American dream. The fact that it is semi-biographical for the writer/director Lee Isaac Chung (also Oscar nominated for both) makes it all the more fascinating.
- All of the leading cast work fabulously as an ensemble. Steven Yeun and Yuh-Jung Youn have all the Oscar nomination glory (with Youn as the Grandmother odds-on to win the Supporting Actress award on Sunday). But Yeri Han is also great and the film wouldn’t work unless the two child actors (Alan Kim and Noel Cho) delivered, which they do in spades.
- The music, by Emile Mosseri, is strikingly good and – deservedly – also Oscar nominated.
Well, well, well. Digging the well, father and son. (Source: A24)
Negatives:
- The ending. Now, I’m all for leaving things in a thoughtful way, allowing the viewer to ponder on things. But this ending was a little too obscure for me. You need to understand (with thanks to this article) that the vegetable Minari purifies (water), grows in unfavourable soils and only really thrives in its second season. Now, forgive me for not being ‘up’ on my Korean plant botany, but this was too much of a leap for me. For the uninitiated (I assume 95% of the audience) the ending will feel abrupt and unsatisfying.
Heading for marital conflict. Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica (Yeri Han) in contemplative mood. (Source: A24)
Summary Thoughts on “Minari”:
Having watched “Hillbilly Elegy” and “Minari” on consecutive nights, I was struck by the unexpected parallels between the films (over and above the Yi’s calling themselves “Hillbillies”). Both feature a dysfunctional family (though less so here). And both also feature a lead character, from an impoverished background, trying to better themselves and follow the ‘American dream’. And front and centre is the growing relationship between a young boy and their grandmother.
But there the similarities end. For I just loved the simplicity of the story-telling in “Minari”. No fancy flashbacks and disjointed timeline here. And a sense that you were really in on the journey of both Jacob and his farm and of the relationship between David and his Grandma.
This was heading at one point for a 5 star rating for me. But – for me anyway – the obscurity of the ending left me with a “WTF” feeling. So I’ve tempered my rating. Still a great film though, and recommended.
Trailer:
The trailer for “Minari” is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ0gFidlro8.
