My Review of "Minari"

Minari was one of the critical hit movies back in 2020. I never got around to seeing it because it looked like a boring movie to me. Seeing as it started streaming on Prime I thought I might as well check it out while I can. If it turns out to be a boring movie then I can cut it off and move on to another movie. Thankfully this movie had me hooked from the beginning.

It all starts out with a first generation Korean family moving to a small town in Arkansas. They originally lived in Los Angeles but the patriarch of the family, Jacob, wanted something more for himself and the family. There's already tension in the family because the matriarch, Monica, is adamantly against the move. Meanwhile the two children, Anne and David are there for the ride.

It's all described in the beginning that the parents had menial jobs in Los Angeles. The two were good at identifying the sex of baby chicks at local farms. Now in Arkansas they're doing the same thing but this time they have a huge plot of land.

Jacob's vision is to create a farm out of their plot of land and in this farm he would be growing Korean fruits and vegetables. The risk of course is high and that's what disturbs Monica. As audience members we easily identify with both sides. We understand Jacob's ambition but yet at the same time we understand Monica's anxiety of the whole situation.

To make matters worse they're moving to a place where they don't have any friends or family. They're utterly isolated and have to make new acquaintances. As the parents constantly bicker about their situation Monica's mother was brought up.

Their son David has a heart issue that prevents him from being active. Monica also worries about him because the two parents are now busier than before and someone has to look after him. So it was agreed that Monica's mother would stay with them.

That's when the movie really picks up. The grandmother's relationship with the family is interesting because she's not a stereotypical grandmother. She's a free spirit while still wanting the best for the family.

The family also meets a few locals that they eventually befriend as well. With each relationship that's added to this growing family we learn more about the main characters. Our main protagonists also learn a little more about themselves in the process as well.

I never thought I would be so enamored by this movie. It's got some sort of sweet innocence to it that I can't really explain. I think it may come from the fact that all of the characters are well intentioned. There really isn't a mean streak in any of the characters and their motivations are very relatable. Although it's about an immigrant family in the 80's it could easily be about any family today.

To add to the mix each character has their fun quirks and eccentric qualities that add to their charm. They'll have your full attention because you want to know what they're going to do next. While a plethora of issues happen to this family they had me constantly asking how they're going to get themselves out of the mess the mess they're in.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie and I'm so glad that I gave it a try. It's an exploration of characters and relationships. At times it almost feels like you're a fly on the wall watching in on all the drama. I just couldn't stop watching. I have to give this movie an 8 out of 10. It's a gripping tale and I think a lot of people will be sucked in by its charm. That is if they'll let themselves watch it in the first place.