Minari (2020)

 

Minari is unlike any movie I've ever seen. It's filmed in a dreamy mood, and watching each frame feels like I'm turning another page of a story book. The shots are beautifully taken; it takes place in the outskirts of Arkansas in the 80s (judging by the fact that Reagan was president at the time). 

Jacob (Steven Yuen) thinks big about starting his own farm to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas.  There's a lot of land over there that's more affordable (unlike in California - funny how it's relevant even now) and as he explains to his daughter: 30,000 Koreans immigrate to America every year,  so growing crops for them to buy in Korean markets would be a game changer. On the other hand, he's hauled his family all the way from the lives they were used to in California (which was stable even if it was boring). His wife Monica (Yeri Han), is weary of the instability in this decision and sees it as a threat to their family and their son's heart condition. This farm is an isolated land, away from easy access to markets and the church. Jacob is steadfast in his goal; from his perspective he's investing in the future, but at the same time, he doesn't realize Monica's perspective in feeling responsible for the family and their stability. Their young son David (Alan S Kim) has a fragile heart condition causing one of his family member's to scold him whenever he runs, and their daughter Anne (Noel Cho), usually takes on the responsibility of looking after her younger brother and other operations. 

To add some support to the situation, Monica and Jacob call Monica's mom to come and help out.  Monica's mom (Mrs. Oh), initially enters as a supporting character. We see Monica light up when she sees her mom coming, and as someone growing up in SouthEast Asia; any elder 's presence in my life has made me feel a sense of relief, like I was getting emotional support right away. Mrs. Oh serves the same function to her daughter, and brings korean chilli and delicious veggies! Mrs. Oh is not well received by her grandson David: she talks about a bunch of korean things and "smells like korea" as David complains. She swears, cracks silly jokes and can sometimes say things out of social context. She snores, she plays cards and "isn't a real grandma". 

I thought that the movie would be setting up Mrs. Oh as an instrument to promote the "feel goodness" of the movie, but thankfully I was wrong. 

By being herself, showing true care for her grandson, and growing minari in a dense creek, Mrs Oh lies at the true heart of the movie. And also David, who through receiving and experiencing his grandma, heals, literally. 

SPOILERS AHEAD

Before Mrs. Oh walks in, the family lives in separate plains from each other. Jacob is chasing after the American dream, believing that hard work would pay off and that thinking big is what he needs to do to make his kids proud of him. Monica thinks that Jacob cares more about his ambitions than his family and feels that this decision would break them apart and that she isn't doing enough to help, and David is struggling with his heart condition and the possibility that he might die.

Then walks in Mrs. Oh. 

And although she is interpreted as strange or wonky by her grandkids, she adds tremendous value: 

1/ she tells David that he's strong and suggests that he tries to run unlike what his parents tell him, and at the end he runs. 

2/ she exposes David to Minari, a korean vegetable; which is almost analogous to his roots. David creates a song at the spur of the moment about it when they are together, She sings it to him before he sleeps, and the doctor suggests that his heart condition has healed. I saw the connection there. 

3/ She accidentally burns the vegetables, but in the process brings Monica and Jacob together again as they navigate the fire 

4/ She grows Minari, which is what the movie ends with as it thrives; the essence of korean herb.

Although initially uncomfortable and unanticipated, it's Mrs. Oh's presence, that makes the entire family stronger and yields those powerful connections; hinging them back to to their roots and back together

CONCLUSION (SPOILERS DONE) 

 There are other nuances in the film as well: like the micro-racism faced at the church for being asian in a predominantly white community, with Monica being overly fawned on as "cute", and a girl trying to imitate the korean language. What also was significant was how the family politely put up with it which certainly has relevance now with the "model minority" effect.

At its core Minari shows the true essence of culture, heritage and roots and how it can help us thrive even when we sometimes take it for granted, or feel ashamed of it. Just like how the grandma grew the minari in a hidden area by the river, we have these roots sometimes in a dormant area within ourselves, and nurturing it can heal us; just like how minari did. 

The cast excellently portrays the characters, and I would HIGHLY recommend this film. The only disclaimer I will say is that it can be slow at times; but if you are in the mood for a realistic film, I would choose this one without a blink of an eye.