Parasite
Parasite (2019)
I’ve just left the cinema so this is pretty raw. I may change my mind but here we are.
I’d heard so much about this film with its late release date. Everyone was saying it should win Best Picture but won’t as it’s Korean and will be a sure fire win for Best Film in a Foreign Language therefore why award it both blah blah blah. I guess that’s fair? Maybe not? I always hated when the BAFTA’s awarded both the same film for best British Film and for Best (international) Film. Seems a wasted opportunity for another picture to claim victory - I’m looking at you The King’s Speech.
Back to Parasite. It’s exhilarating if not vexatious. There’s a poor family who, one by one, infiltrate a wealthy family by getting jobs as their staff (a tutor, a therapist, a chauffeur, a maid) and how they pull the wool over the eyes of this gullible affluent clan.
I didn’t expect it to be such a cheeky fun thriller. Yet I here I was, amused and thrilled.
Consider me a bit of a slough when it comes to foreign language films. I have to tug up my trousers and act adult about the situation, but thank god, cos you’d be denying yourself a beauty if you miss this.
From the second the film opens you empathise with the Kim family as they desperately search their home for free WiFi off a neighbour’s plan. The genius of the film is that the family are the (villainous) antagonists yet you are on their side all the way. The rich family are essentially good people. Yet we’re rooting for the Kims despite their very questionable morals.
*POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD*
I’m uneasy on how it ended. I would’ve preferred something a little more realistic and a little less symbolic. I get what they’re saying; these are extreme measures as a result of oppression. But I would’ve preferred a more mischievous conclusion. When the Kim family ruse is inevitably unthreaded I was electric with wonder “how on earth are they gonna get out of this hotspot?”. But then things kind of got a bit daft.
Only read the next paragraph if you want the film challenged... This is really pernickety but would you practically be able to host a garden party hours after a torrential rainstorm, which has destroyed peoples homes, on your lawn? Wouldn’t it be waterlogged?!
How did the man who was close to starvation have the strength to slide the shelving unit, when the young fit son struggled moments earlier?
*SPOILERS OVER *
A thought provoking and gripping story. And as the director Bong Jon Ho said upon winning the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Feature “‘Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films” amen.
Overcome that one inch tall barrier.
Watch this on a day off when you have your wits about you.
9 Stealthy Thumbs Up!
