WHY BEST PICTURE.
Movie Review – Parasite
Review by Ray Schillaci
I really try to stay out of politics when it comes to reviews. I don’t even voice my opinion on Facebook or Twitter. I keep it to myself, a few close family and friends that I am completely comfortable with and the voting booth. Even now this review is not against President Trump. It’s against his view on a film he never set eyes on, and had no problem giving his snide opinion to rally his supporters who more than likely will avoid subtitled films anyway.
To quote our boisterous president Donald J. Trump in one of his more blusterous moments, “How bad were the Academy Awards this year, did you see? ‘And the winner is … a movie from South Korea. What the hell was that all about? We’ve got enough problems with South Korea with trade, on top of it they give them the best movie of the year? I’m looking for like, let’s get ‘Gone with the Wind’ — can we get like ‘Gone with the Wind’ back, please? ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ so many great movies…”
Gone With The Wind was made in 1939 and Sunset Boulevard made in 1950. Both great films, but from a bygone era that most born after 1960 could care less about. It’s like saying, let’s bring back Happy Days, I miss the Fonz. Sadly, this is a person that has no intention on educating himself and furthering his taste in the arts.
That’s not a slam to the President of the United States or a reflection of his party. Just a simple fact about the man himself. If his supporters are fine with that I have no argument there. My argument is the fact that Parasite was and is one of the very best films of the year, nationally and internationally. A negative comment coming from whatever authority that has never seen it should be completely dismissed.
After all, not only did Parasite become the first international film to win Best Picture and sweep the awards for Best Int’l Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Production Design and Best Film Editing, won Best Cast award from the Screen Actors Guild and the Cannes Film Festival’s most prestigious prize, the Palm d’Or. The only other film to win both Best Picture and the Palme d’Or was the American low-budget film, Marty back in 1956.
Both films were beautifully written (Marty by Paddy Chayefsky) and captured a class of people rarely focused on. Also, both films were considered low budget for their time. The budget on Parasite was about $11M, a paltry sum compared to some of the other nominees. The budget on Marty was $350K.
With so much praise from guilds, festivals and critics it’s hard to believe they can all be wrong. There has also been a backlash with some claiming that the film is overhyped. I finally watched Parasite at home at the urgency of my son’s 19 year-old friend. He noticed I had it and did not get a chance to watch it. This was before the Oscar telecast.
He was so excited about it and wanted my son and I to watch it right away. The problem: it was 11:45pm, I was tired, we’re talking about a subtitled movie with a running time is 2 hours and 12 minutes. I honestly did not think I would have the patience for it. But, with such enthusiasm thrown my way curiosity got the best of me. I put it on only to discover that the film is not overhyped and it plays to universal themes and produced with such care that it’s truly hard to believe any film enthusiasts not wanting to champion its arrival on screen.
Writer/director Bong Joon Ho is able to immediately engage us with the Kim family. This lower class group of oddballs live in a semi-basement apartment in a rundown neighborhood. They take on the low paying job of pizza box folders, consistently struggling to survive all the while trying to steal an internet connection. They are so poor that when the exterminators are spraying the neighborhood they open their windows in the hopes of killing the infestation in their home.
The son, Ki-woo, is visited by his scholarly friend, Min-hyuk, prepared to offer him a deal – Tutor his former student, a sophomore in high school, that belongs to a wealthy family. Min is in love with her and plans to date her when she graduates, but does not trust any of his college buddies to tutor her.
Ki is his most loyal friend. One problem, Ki is not college educated. Min feels he can pass him off as a college educated tutor because he’s spent time in the military and has some street smarts. It also helps that Ki’s sister is excellent forging documents. Add to this the mother of the young girl is considered “simple.” In fact, the whole family is gullible, and Ki’s family takes full advantage of Ki’s opportunity. To go any further would be a disservice to this surprisingly funny and shocking film that is reminiscent of the best of Alfred Hitchcock.
Parasite is a black comedy of the highest order. It’s not just a portrayal of a war between the classes. Bong Joon Ho’s tale goes far deeper, having us care and be offended at times by both families. It’s political, darkly amusing, and tragically poignant as the story unfolds. There is not one false note within the excellent ensemble cast. The production is first rate from set design to the sounds of life on both sides of South Korea, and the haunting musical score provided by Jail Jung. If you have the chance to catch it on the big screen, do so right away.
For those who avoid subtitled films, this is a reason to watch your first one. The viewing may not be pleasant for all, but it will be an experience you will long remember. The accolades for Bong Joon Ho’s film are well deserved as it sets its mark on cinema history.
Directed by: Bong Joon Ho
Release Date: November 8, 2019
Run Time: 132 Minutes
Rated: R
Country: South Korea
Distributor: Neon
