When a movie makes history by getting nominated AND winning both Best Picture and Best International Feature Film at the Oscars and in total, around 120 awards across multiple categories, it must be outstanding, out of this world, and should probably be the best movie anyone has ever watched?
So go support this film by watching it in theatres. I pray that we get to see more and more of such Hollywood and other international films in India.
(On a side note, yes this movie has won an Oscar for best "original" screenplay. And no, it was NOT a copy of the Tamil movie Minsara Kanna :/)
Parasite is a Korean film that has been on my watchlist ever since I heard a lot of buzz about it on social media when it released in the US and other countries. Suffice to say, this is my first ever exposure to a foreign film (other than Hollywood), a Korean film, and boy oh boy wasn't this a wonderful ride!
One of the biggest positives of the movie is that all the characters are "grey" by nature, there is no black and white, no clear cut good guys or bad guys. George R.R Martin, author of the A Song of Ice and Fire books, once said that he always wants his characters to be grey, and not to write a story which is atypical of good vs evil. And it is evident from the Game of Thrones series (cough cough.. Season 8...), which I'm sure many of us here have watched. Parasite isn't your typical story of the poor family being our protagonists, the underdogs who will defeat the villainous rich. Everyone is involved in some form of questionable activities, you understand their actions and are able to sympathize with them and that's where the movie shines. It makes you question as to who is right, who crossed the line, and whether their actions were justified.
The direction is solid, editing is crisp, and the screenplay is sleek and thoroughly engaging for you to have a great time and be invested in events that unfold. Director Bong Joon-Ho seems to have complete control over every shot, every aspect of the story he wished to tell, and the pace at which the story moves. To establish the poverty of the poor family, he uses just the first 5 minutes of the film, and it was done in such a unique and interesting way that shows you how desperate this family would be, to earn more money and move out of their present state. You know that you are in for something which you haven't seen before. See this video by the YouTuber Nerdwriter1, which brilliantly explains how the director uses just 60 frames under 5 minutes to show us a wonderful montage, that moves forward the story, has multiple connections within the montage, and is just downright entertaining. (The video contains spoilers, so watch it after you have seen the film.)
Parasite also excels in making social commentary, statements that doesn't hit you hard over the head. For instance, there are some great parallels drawn when showing how an evening with heavy rains affects the poor family, and how it affects the rich. These are instances where the dialogue writing really shines, which deserves special mention. Subtle clues are placed throughout the movie, both by way of dialogues and visual imagery, to set up events that occur later in the film.
Parasite also excels in making social commentary, statements that doesn't hit you hard over the head. For instance, there are some great parallels drawn when showing how an evening with heavy rains affects the poor family, and how it affects the rich. These are instances where the dialogue writing really shines, which deserves special mention. Subtle clues are placed throughout the movie, both by way of dialogues and visual imagery, to set up events that occur later in the film.
Acting by almost everyone in the film was done very well. Considering this was my first Korean film, I seem to have witnessed a completely different style of acting. The movie also has some good humor that is sprinkled across the film in the right places. The movie has an really intense second half that gets crazier and crazier as we move towards the finish line. There are some great unexpected twists and turns, that keep you wanting to know what's going to happen next. Some may have an issue with the ending, although to me it was done very well.
I give Parasite a 9/10. Yes, one can argue if this movie is worthy of winning both Best Picture and Best International Film, however I found it to be a very well made movie that entertains you well. I have heard a lot about director Bong Joon-Ho's talents showcased in other films of his, and I can't wait to watch more of his movies.
I am elated and extremely relieved to have watched this movie in a theatre in Chennai, India. Huge thanks to SPI Cinemas and all other theatres across India who are showing the film in theaters. I was happy to note that the theatre was surprisingly full when I went, giving me hope that there do exist a good enough audience in India who are movie buffs like me, and watch Oscar-nominated foreign films like Parasite.
Also, what Bong Joon-Ho said at the Golden Globes is absolutely true. "Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films".
So go support this film by watching it in theatres. I pray that we get to see more and more of such Hollywood and other international films in India.
(On a side note, yes this movie has won an Oscar for best "original" screenplay. And no, it was NOT a copy of the Tamil movie Minsara Kanna :/)
Superb!
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