Sophie Touch
Minari offers an encouraging and engaging view of the immigrant experience while also recognising the hardships that go alongside.
It’s a story that follows a young Korean family moving to Arkansas to start a new life.
After a bumpy start, the children’s Grandma moves in, which causes more distress as she is not your “conventional” Grandma.
The father of the children spends all his time trying to build a farm while struggling financially but he is determined. To the point where it almost tears his family apart as he reaps no rewards for his labour.
What initially confused me was title of the film but you soon find out it is a herb.
A herb that is distinctly Korean and is able to thrive wherever it is planted, symbolising the same resilience of the family. The best part of the film is not knowing what will happen next and which direction it is going.
You’re able to pick up on key themes of the story and able to follow through and enjoy these moments.
Minari has a pleasing mix of family dynamics over-shadowed by the complexity and difficulty of being foreigners in a foreign land.
A definite must watch.
