A24 how I love you so...
Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family to a large plot of land, in hopes to fulfil his American dream of growing a farm. With his hesitant wife Monica (Han Ye-ri) and two children, this classic immigrant story is a refreshing watch and perhaps one of the best of 2020.
There are mounds amount of struggle throughout the film as we follow the early beginnings of the immigrant family trying to start their farm in a heavily culture clashed Arkansas. However that's not what's taken away after completing the film.
The gentle grace and quiet moments of this film outshine the many difficulties and challenges stacked throughout the film.
There is the perfect balance of complexity and contradiction throughout the film that all concluded with a satisfying setup and delivery.
Every conversation has value and an underlying importance, with a mix of truth and tenderness.
Experiencing the film from the perspective of the youngest son adds a childlike wonder to the films energy. Aided with stunning and atmospheric nature shots, Minari is truly a breath of fresh air. The use of natural bright colour, brings brightness to the heavy challenges the characters face. I couldn't help but compare the colours to a live action Hayao Miyazki animation.
The amiable soft score enhances the breathless quality to the film, accented with ever so slightly out of tune piano accents, it seems as every element of the film works in harmony together to deliver it's underlying messages and aesthetic quality.
After the insanity of 2020, lack of releases and world-wide pandemic this film is the perfect refresher. The trailer alone brought goosebumps and tears and after completing the film the same effect lingered. Minari is one of the best films coming out of 2020, and I hope it's in contender for big category during awards season. 4.7/5