Minari
Written and Directed by Lee Isaac Chung
A Korean family tries to start up a farm in Arkansas in the 1980's
This is a small movie that really sticks with you.
The story is focused on this Korean family trying to make this farm work. You can tell right away this is not the family dream. This is the fathers dream, Jacob, played by Steven Yeum. The mother, Monica played by Yeri Han, is silent but we can tell she is not happy with this dream of her husband. She falls in line, and shows support but you can tell she wants out of this area.
The story is soft and interesting. I like that Chung did not lean hard on this Korean family facing prejudice in this town, for the most part, at work, or at church and such, they were accepted. Their struggles lie in the farm; the new home/trailer; and the new life. This could be any color or nationality, this is the struggle to achieve the American Dream.
I know there is a lot of love out there for Yuh-Jung Youn who plays Soonja. Me not so much.I found her character annoying and ...its just okay performance.
I do think Steven Yeun is fantastic along with his working buddy Paul played by Will Patton. They are just great.
Alan Kim who plays David is getting alot of love....aaaaa...he is good but watch it again, he is often looking at the camera when he is not suppose to.
Negatives?
I think it may be too soft. The story moves at a snails pace with an unsatisfying ending. Making me think, do I want to see this again? No not really. Which is a shame because there is a couple great performances, over ridden by an annoying character in Soonja and the ending.
4 out of 5 stars for Minari. Its a must see, stay with it, a couple good performances, and a story of hope.
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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