A24 never disappoints. The legendary indie company (which was behind the likes of Moonlight, Ex Machina, Room, and Hereditary) has produced another vibrant film. To be fair, Minari will not be everyone’s cup of tea. It is slow. It is gentle. It isn’t entertaining either. But make no mistake: this film is high art. It is a nuanced work that pans out quietly, yet methodically. Minari is unequivocally a film about the so-called “American Dream”—although the way it frames this ideal will turn heads. Still, it isn’t a mere playground for socioeconomic commentary. It is much more than just a film about ideas, for it overflows with intangibles. It has charm. It has warmth. It has a lush sense of naturalism that is as striking as it is subtle, combining beautiful shots of sylvan landscapes with a creative soundtrack that heightens the film’s emotional nuances. In a way, Minari operates on a neat little current of the ideas at play in Terrence Malick’s films. Or, to invoke a musical comparison, Minari is the cinematic equivalent of a brilliant ambient album. Brian Eno’s 1975 masterpiece Another Green World comes to mind. However, this does not mean that Minari dwells in the antiquated days of the past. It is a refreshingly modern reminder that films do not have to be elaborate or even gratifying to conjure a refined experience. I can’t call it one of my favorite films of the year—that subjective little honor goes to Tenet and Soul—but I do hope that Minari collects several Oscars on April 25th.
Rating: 7.5/10
Sorry my friend, I can’t agree with you on Minari. To compare this to a Malick film is in my mind doing a disservice to Malick. I love Tree of Life. One of favourites of all time. When the credits rolled for Minari, I wish that I had watched the minari grow by the stream rather than follow the story. There was charming little boy, but the anger expressed for this couple who were of different minds, and then grandma as part of it just didn’t flow. It was frustrating. I have now seen all but one of the 2021 Best Picture nominated films (Judas and the Black Messiah remains) and I would lean more towards The Father or Trial of the Chicago 7 myself to win. Anthony Hopkins should win Best Actor.
Fair points! The Tree of Life is one of my top 3 favorite films of all time, so I totally get where you’re coming from. I didn’t mean to say that this film is on its level (far from it), but just that the film seems to share a few traits with Malick films (emphasis on nature shots, implicit philosophical commentary, etc.) but not that Minari is a masterpiece like many Malick films. As for your Oscar picks, I respect those! I haven’t seen The Father or Trial of the Chicago 7 but have seen all of the others. Need to check them out!
It seems to me at least that Chadwick Boseman is a lock for Best Actor. Kind of sad that he’s probably only going to win it because he died (in my opinion), but at least he put in a solid performance. Got lots of respect for Anthony Hopkins!
Interestingly so did Anthony Hopkins himself when he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor!!
True!
Anthony wins! Nice victory!
Haha yep!
Heard a lot of good stuff, but I’m yet to watch it. I’ll put it on the (ever growing) list.
Haha totally relate to that. Cheers to Oscar season!
https://lukeatkins.com/ r u going to post oscar predictions this yr again
Not this year, unfortunately. I’m trying to consolidate what my posts are about, and I decided to just stick with reviews of individual works so that I don’t go crazy by wanting to make all sorts of other posts. Betting Nomadland wins Best Picture though!
whens ur next netflix review
Will review The People v. O.J. Simpson one of these days!
Yeet
👍
👌
Very moving
Indeed!
Thanks luke
No prob. Haha LOVE the reference in your WordPress username. Legendary video.
Yassss this the content we deserve not the content we thought we needed
Ha so true.
A nice film about the importance of family that can be seen by anyone in the family (barring little children)!
<3 <3 <3 <3
🧐
Ha that’s an underrated emoji.
TRASH
The movie?
Yes.
Sorry you feel that way. It’s not for everyone!
ugh
Whens it going to be available to stream do y’all know? I don’t have open movie theatres in my neighborhood quite yet. Very frustrating. Need to catch some of these before Oscar season comes around and hits us — as if it hasnt already 🙃
Hopefully b4 Oscars
@Sav As shown in the comment thread below, it is available now to rent—so you can indeed see it before the Oscars come around!
I’ll do some research!
lmk i too kinda want to watch it
Update for everyone: I can’t find a release date for when it’s going to hit streaming platforms for free.
However, it is available to rent on sites like Amazon or iTunes. I’ll send some links:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/minari/id1549611916
https://www.amazon.com/Minari-Steven-Yeun/dp/B08WLY2G31
https://youtu.be/SDXkOhzY5jg
thank uuu
😉
Save your sheckles on this one…..!!
😌😂👍
I thought about giving Minari a 7.5, for what it’s worth, but I ultimately landed on an 8 just due to the cinematography, acting, and music.
I think that this sums up this Oscar Best Picture nominee grouping best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AK-vrk9R-s
Ha fair enough. It’s a very weak field this year!
Mindblowing movie.
🥳