By Janice Wong, Staff Writer
With a phenomenal storyline and cast, the film “Minari” portrays the struggles of immigrants who hope to gain prosperity and happiness through the American Dream.
Set in the 1980s, Korean immigrants Jacob and Monica Yi raise their American-born children in rural Arkansas. Jacob and a local farmer grow Korean-based produce to escape poverty while the children adjust to their grandmother joining them in America.
In an attempt to bring some of her Korean culture to America, the grandmother grows minari, otherwise known as water celery. It typically thrives in its second growing season and is a symbol of rebirth.
The characters are complex and well-developed, each having their own variety of conflicts. Jacob struggles to balance his stubbornness and ambition with realistic goals. On the other hand, his mature teenage daughter takes on caretaking responsibilities and misses out on an enjoyable childhood.
The film skillfully touches on themes of family and sacrifice. Accompanied by Jacob and Monica’s heated arguments over their family’s future, many can relate to how adversity often strains relationships. However, through those hardships, families will still sacrifice their health and sometimes golden job opportunities to preserve those relationships.
Even though the family is incredibly resilient despite their financial issues, the American Dream is still difficult for them to attain. Jacob’s financial state constantly fluctuates from the joy of gaining interested vendors to dealing with frustrating setbacks with his farm.
Achieving the dream is often a product of hard work and a lot of luck; however racism in their everyday lives makes their situation even more stressful. “Minari” addresses the daily occurrence of casual racism in a scene where others subtly make racist remarks toward the Yi children. This is all too familiar for many Asians today given the surge of Asian hate crimes.
The film also brings a stronger sense of familiarity for immigrant families. Jacob, who has no interest in American culture insists on strictly growing Korean vegetables. However, his young son seemingly rejects his ethnicity and complains that his grandmother “smells like Korea.” For immigrant families like the Yi’s, there is a constant battle of whether or not to retain their original cultural identity while also embracing new customs.
Although the movie is serious and heartbreaking, there are humorous moments. Some of the most memorable come from the son’s childish antics and the grandmother’s quirky comments. The comic relief scenes contribute to the film‘s relatability and lightens high-tension scenes.
While the movie features a talented cast and remarkable soundtrack, it also presents stunning visuals with many shots of lush fields and clear skies successfully portraying a vintage aesthetic and home-like feel.
“Minari” weaves a classic immigrant story into a moving tale about perseverance and determination. With a perfect blend of heartbreak and triumph, “Minari” is one of the best recently released movies and an inspiration for any family working towards a better future.