In many ways Minari is a throwback to the farming dramas of the mid 1980s. Films such as Country, The River and Places in the Heart showing the harsh realities of rural life.
Minari has for its protagonists a Korean immigrant family.
Set in the 1980s. Jacob (Steven Yeun) has brought his family from California to Arkansas.
Sick and tired of his menial job that will lead him to nowhere. He dreams of growing Korean vegetables for the expanding Korean market.
His wife Monica (Yeri Han) though is horrified by the move. She liked California and now finds herself living in a mobile home. Their son David has a heart murmur and the closest hospital is a hour's drive away.
The children settle down and even make friends. However this new life brings tensions between Jacob and the increasingly unhappy Monica.
Pretty soon Monica's mother Soonja comes to live with them as she could look after the kids. It is Soonja who takes the kids to plant some Minari seeds near the creek. It is a type of herb.
Monica gets a job in a local chicken factory which is similar to the job she was doing in California.
Jacob finds that farming life is not easy. Especially the water he needs to grow his plants which has eaten up his money.
Minari is mainly in Korean. The few English speaking characters include Paul (Will Patton) a devout Christian who works on the farm and has his own cross to bear.
The success of the Korean film Parasite has helped garner Minari critical success. Director Lee Isaac Chung has been nominated for a best director and screenwriting Oscar for his semi autobiographical story.
It explores the immigrant dreams of a better life and hard work. Jacob and Monica seem to integrate with the local Arkansas community as they are Christians who regularly go to church.
The presence of the children allows Chung to bring humour and playfulness to the film. Grandma Soonja likes the mountain water that the kids like to drink. It is Mountain Dew.
Minari is an understated and poignant film. It does not go for easy histrionics to create false drama. The performances feel natural.
However Chung leaves the film a little too open ended. Despite all the tribulations it is grandmother's Minari to the rescue.
Minari has for its protagonists a Korean immigrant family.
Set in the 1980s. Jacob (Steven Yeun) has brought his family from California to Arkansas.
Sick and tired of his menial job that will lead him to nowhere. He dreams of growing Korean vegetables for the expanding Korean market.
His wife Monica (Yeri Han) though is horrified by the move. She liked California and now finds herself living in a mobile home. Their son David has a heart murmur and the closest hospital is a hour's drive away.
The children settle down and even make friends. However this new life brings tensions between Jacob and the increasingly unhappy Monica.
Pretty soon Monica's mother Soonja comes to live with them as she could look after the kids. It is Soonja who takes the kids to plant some Minari seeds near the creek. It is a type of herb.
Monica gets a job in a local chicken factory which is similar to the job she was doing in California.
Jacob finds that farming life is not easy. Especially the water he needs to grow his plants which has eaten up his money.
Minari is mainly in Korean. The few English speaking characters include Paul (Will Patton) a devout Christian who works on the farm and has his own cross to bear.
The success of the Korean film Parasite has helped garner Minari critical success. Director Lee Isaac Chung has been nominated for a best director and screenwriting Oscar for his semi autobiographical story.
It explores the immigrant dreams of a better life and hard work. Jacob and Monica seem to integrate with the local Arkansas community as they are Christians who regularly go to church.
The presence of the children allows Chung to bring humour and playfulness to the film. Grandma Soonja likes the mountain water that the kids like to drink. It is Mountain Dew.
Minari is an understated and poignant film. It does not go for easy histrionics to create false drama. The performances feel natural.
However Chung leaves the film a little too open ended. Despite all the tribulations it is grandmother's Minari to the rescue.