Minari Reviews

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this flick but since it had been very well received, I thought I might as well check it out. Well, even though I did like it, to be honest, it never really blew me away though. First of all, I think there was a lack of context. Indeed, when these characters arrived in Arkansas, they had a whole life in South-Korea and then again another life in California but you learned so very little about what happened back then and, as a result, I couldn't really compare their current situation with what they had before and make up my mind on my own if it was indeed an improvement or not. In the same fashion, I mentioned that they first arrived in California, so this movie was not even about them facing a culture clash and struggling with settling in a new country and a new culture. It was basically about another very specific chapter in the life of this family, a chapter which was intriguing but not really fascinating, at least, not to me. The other thing that bothered me was the fact that, while Jacob maybe didn't focus on his family, at least, he had a very specific goal in mind and I don't think that Monica was given the same curtesy. Indeed, what did she actually want? What did she expect when she knew that they were going to live in a farm in the middle of nowhere in Arkansas? As a result, I was constantly rooting for Jacob which was probably unfair and I wish we got more involved in their arguments (which apparently started way before they got to Arkansas) to get a better understanding of this woman who was pretty much reduced to a whining sour wife. This lack of information was probably due to the fact that the story was told from David's perspective but, to be honest, telling such stories from the point of view of a very young child is usually rather frustrating, at least, as far as I'm concerned. Still, there is no denying that it was visually neat with a very nice nostalgic gentle mood. Furthermore, the relationship between David and his grandmother was pure gold and it's too bad it was cut short by a cruel stroke. Finally, after 'The Walking Dead' and 'Burning', Steven Yeung gave here another completely different and yet really strong performance and the range displayed by this actor so far is just quite impressive. Anyway, to conclude, even if I wasn't completely sold by the damned thing, it was still a solid drama and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

(OK) Small korean incursion in american agriculture, with a vintage grandma, a hideous and funny and doomed character; but corny end in a way...