Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Cast: Alan S Kim, Steven Yeun, Youn Yuh-jung, Han Ye-ri, Noel Cho, & Will Patton

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This is one of 3 films on my list that I am planning to check out during March due to the many positive conversations I’ve seen across my social media…well mainly positive. This particular film had 1 speck of dust on it due to the film being nominated in the Foreign Film categories of award shows… … … uh, yeah. 

But, anyway, #Minari! It is a beautiful story, truly. It does, and can, border on “boring…” though, similar to how some of those White novels forced on students as “classics” can be. However, it’s Alan S Kim’s storyline that really gives life to this story. 

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Below are my grades for key components in #Minari that I find to be key in any story/film—Theme, Plot, Pacing, and Character Arc/Development. I think it is also important for me to add that moving forward, I will not include a plus-rating in my breakdown, but will continue with minus-ratings.

Additionally, I have added an entertainment factor scale to help you determine whether or not the film is something you’d be interested in taking time out of your weekend, evening, or day to watch. The scale range consists of: Worth the Watch, Interesting Enough (if looking for something new to start), & Don’t Rush.

I have also added a few non-spoiling thoughts, wonderings, and comments as I watched the film to help give some rationale for my grades and entertainment scale.

Theme: A

Plot: A-

Pacing: A-

Character Arc/Development: A

Entertainment Factor: Interesting Enough

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TAKEAWAYS:

1. I want to continue with my praise for Alan S Kim! Just a really admirable performance by a child actor. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾

2. As a friend said, “Now I gotta do some research on chicks/chickens.” 🤔

3. The story picks up the moment Grandma hits the scene. 😂👍🏾👍🏾

4. Paul…Paul was interesting. He was a great symbol for persistence and faith. 👍🏾👍🏾

5. WOOOOOOW the racism disguised as small talk, being welcoming, and breaking the ice… 😳

6. I truly love a well developed theme in a film, and this story is one of the best I’ve seen! 🙌🏾🙌🏾👍🏾

7. I appreciated the focus on the passion and challenges of being a farmer, but elevated via the Korean-American context. 👍🏾👍🏾

8. There is a level of predictability as it pertains to the climax and falling action…🤷🏾‍♂️ but there was still an element of surprise with “how” I thought certain situations would carry out. Especially when you have a character who was developed like the Grandma. 👍🏾

9. If there ever was a flat character, Anne is it. 🤣

10. Although the story does a good job with getting the theme across, I did find the father’s prioritized passion to be a little extreme, especially via the hospital conversation…like, really? 🥴

11. David is SOOOO petty getting Grandma that “homemade water from the mountains.” 🤣😩

12. Speaking of “water from the mountains”… that understanding/belief provides such a subtle, yet loud insight. 👍🏾👍🏾

13. Come on, Korean SPADES! 🤣

14. And to continue with point #13, there were a few moments that felt Black! Let me find out Koreans and Black folk are kinfolk 🤣🤣🤣

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Overall, #Minari is a heartwarming and solid story. The only reason I am not labeling it as “Worth the Watch” is because it isn’t a film that I think every type of person would have an entry point of interest to watch. For example, not everyone can watch and appreciate #ABeautifulMind, but most can watch and enjoy #BlackSwan—get it? And because spending 20.00 via Amazon Prime will need to happen in order to watch the film, I don’t think every type of person would be that satisfied with that expense.  

But for those who do really love film and story, this is definitely Worth the Watch and the 20.00.