Parasite (2019)
(Universal/NEON/Hulu)
By Lucas Allen
Fans of “1917” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” were quite surprised last February when “Parasite” nabbed Best Picture along with Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Film. The film’s co-writer, co-producer, and director Bong Joon-ho made history that night as the first Korean filmmaker to win in the top two categories. Now that it finally comes its way to the streaming service Hulu at just the right time, we’re curious enough to know if this film is worth all the awards hype it’s gotten.
Living in the slums of South Korea, the Kim family is struggling to get by in their basement apartment. Father Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) works minimum wage as a pizza box folder, while his wife Chung-sook (Chang Hyae-jin) works to help raise their college-age kids Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) and Ki-jeong (Park So-dam). Ki-woo gets an offer from his friend Min (Seo Joon Park) to tutor high school sophomore Da-hye (Jeong Ji-so) though he never had a teaching job. With help from his sister’s con-artistry, he’s able to enter the home of the richer Park family, which also includes father Dong-ik (Lee Sun-kyun), mother Yeno-gyo (Cho Yeo-jeong), and younger son Da-song (Jung Hyeon-jun). Once he’s accepted by the family, Ki-woo along with Ki-jeong start enacting their plan to leach off the Park’s lap of luxury.
First, they have the family’s driver fired before Ki-taek can take the position. Then they do the same to the housekeeper by using a peach and a packet of hot sauce, and Chung-sook takes the job. Also, Ki-jeong poses as an art therapist for the troublesome but talented young boy. All seems to be going their way until a trip down the cellar reveals a dark secret that could threaten their newfound livelihood.
This movie is a biting satire on the social and class warfare between the poor and the rich. For a story taking place in its native South Korea, it also has a way of speaking to every country for anyone who felt lost in their own place. It becomes a battle of wits and wits ends as we watch one family try to steal the lives of another. Not only that, but the story also takes a left turn in the second half that leads to one twist after another.
No matter how much the story affects you, director Bong Joon-ho’s eye for visual style and the mis-en-scene cannot be denied. He can take the simplest of settings like the Park mansion and give it some sinister atmosphere. By contrast, the Kim neighborhood has an ugly and greasy look that reflects the slum nature of their existence. With the help of the production designer, cinematographer, and editor on his team, he achieves the unsettling and fascinating nature of being in the middle of this social upheaval.
The cast help sell this unusual story in a way that’ll make you want to seek more international films. They each bring something to the film from the subtle to the over-the-top in a good way. It’s difficult to pick out who’s the standout among them, but the actors all deserve praise for their incredible work.
“Parasite” is really good, but maybe doesn’t justify its Best Picture win. Because last year had too many great titles, this one seem to stick out in its own way. Either way, it’s worth a watch out of curiosity or something different in this overcrowded field of choices to stream. For what it’s worth, this movie doesn’t disappoint.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: R (for language, some violence, and sexual content)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.5 Stars (Out of Four)
