Minari (2020)

Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Stars: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim
Runtime: 115 minutes

Synopsis: A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas.

Verdict: Fuelled by a quest for a better life and the pursuit of the American dream, a couple leaves their home country of South Korea to settle in California, where they make a modest living sexing chicks. A decade and two kids later, Jacob’s had enough of his dull job and decides to move with his family to a remote trailer in Arkansas, where he hopes to build his own business from scratch by starting a farm. Worried about the consequences of such a gamble on her family, his wife, Monica, does not share the same enthusiasm he does in regards to his newest project, leading to tensions between a couple who very clearly have different priorities.

The son of South Korean immigrants himself and having lived his childhood on a farm in Arkansas, the film evidently serves as a semi-autobiography of writer/director Lee Isaac Chung. And not only does the movie truly come off as sincere and personal, but Chung’s directing skills are highlighted by excellent cinematography, a gratifying score, and superb performances by the entire cast. I absolutely loved the dynamic shared within the members of the family and in particular the one between newcomer Alan Kim’s David and his grandmother Soon-Ja, played by the very talented Youn Yuh-Jung.

From its portrayal of cultural clashes to its commentary on the costs of pursuing the American dream, I was invested in what the movie had to offer for the most part but didn’t feel that it achieved what it was going for to the fullest of its extent. An underwhelming and heavy-handed finale came to ruin what the movie had built up so well prior to it, only stumbling a few times with some weak lines or on-the-nose scenes. As it was relying on a realistic tone to deliver an immersive experience, these moments, unfortunately, left a slightly sour taste to what was an overall delicious dessert baked with passion, devotion, and, most importantly, emotion.

“Minari” absolutely deserves every single accolade it has received since it premiered at Sundance over a year ago, but a small part of me is frustrated by the few hiccups its narrative went through. Enough for me not to recommend it for pretty much anyone looking for a good drama? Absolutely not.

FINAL GRADE: 7/10