Minari

Minari

 

"Minari" is a 2020 American drama film directed by Lee Isaac Chung, who also wrote the screenplay. The film tells the story of a Korean-American family who moves to a farm in rural Arkansas in pursuit of the American Dream. The film stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan S. Kim, Noel Kate Cho, and Youn Yuh-jung. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 and received critical acclaim.

The film opens with a beautiful shot of a car driving down a rural road. We see the Yi family, consisting of father Jacob (Steven Yeun), mother Monica (Han Ye-ri), daughter Anne (Noel Kate Cho), and son David (Alan S. Kim), driving to their new home in rural Arkansas. The family has moved from California, where they were struggling to make ends meet, to start a farm on land they have bought.

Jacob is determined to make a success of the farm and has dreams of growing Korean vegetables to sell to other Korean immigrants. Monica is less sure about the move, and she misses her old life in California. She is also worried about David, who has a heart condition that requires close monitoring.

David is a precocious and curious child who is full of energy and mischief. He has a close relationship with his grandmother, Soon-ja (Youn Yuh-jung), who comes to live with the family from Korea. Soon-ja is not what David expects from a grandmother–she is feisty, blunt, and swears a lot. But he soon grows to love her, and she becomes an important figure in his life.

The family faces many challenges on the farm, including a lack of water and a difficult relationship with a neighboring farmer, Paul (Will Patton). Jacob is determined to succeed and works long hours, often leaving Monica to take care of the children on her own. As tensions rise between Jacob and Monica, Soon-ja becomes a source of comfort and stability for the family.

The film is a beautiful exploration of what it means to be an immigrant in America and the sacrifices that come with chasing the American Dream. The Yi family faces many challenges as they try to make a new life for themselves in rural Arkansas, and the film does not shy away from the difficulties they face. But it also celebrates the joys of family and the importance of community.

One of the most powerful scenes in the film comes near the end when David and Soon-ja plant minari, a Korean herb, by a nearby creek. Soon-ja explains to David that minari grows anywhere and everywhere, and that it is a symbol of resilience and hope. The scene is a beautiful metaphor for the Yi family's journey – they too are trying to grow roots in a new place, and they too are resilient and full of hope.

The performances in the film are outstanding, with Steven Yeun and Han Ye-ri giving nuanced and complex performances as the parents trying to make a better life for their children. Alan S. Kim is a revelation as David, bringing a natural and authentic energy to the role. Youn Yuh-jung is a delight as Soon-ja, bringing humor and warmth to the film.

Director Lee Isaac Chung has created a film that is both specific to the Korean-American experience and universal in its themes of family, immigration, and the pursuit of happiness. The film is beautifully shot, with the Arkansas landscape serving as a stunning backdrop to the story. The score by Emile Mosseri is also excellent, adding to the film's emotional resonance.

In conclusion, "Minari" is a powerful and moving film that explores the immigrant experience in America with depth and nuance. The film is a celebration of family, community, and resilience, and is a testament to the