Film

Minari makes America seem like a land of opportunity again

A family’s move from California to become farmers in rural Arkansas is an absorbing and heartwarming depiction of the American dream, says Graeme Virtue

Minari

Steve Yeun and Alan Kim in Minari

Crop irrigation and the fine art of chick sexing might not sound like promising cinematic ingredients. But in the hands of writer/director Lee Isaac Chung, these prosaic rituals become part of something quite magical.

Minari is his semi-autobiographical story of a Korean-American family attempting to become farmers in rural Arkansas in the 1980s. We join them as they roll up to their new home: a battered trailer in a remote, scraggly-looking field. Dad Jacob (Steven Yeun) practically vibrates with enthusiasm over “the best dirt in America”; the brittle body language of mum Monica (Yeri Han) tells you all you need to know about her feelings. Their two young kids Anne (Noel Cho) and David (Alan S Kim) simply see a huge mucky playground.

It’s a fresh start but a precarious one. After years in California spent gazing at chicks’ backsides to determine whether they were male or female, the couple saved up a decent nest egg. Now the plan is for Jacob to raise vegetables on their expansive plot despite knowing nothing about farming (poor Monica has to stick to sexing chicks). For young David, who has a heart condition, living so far from a hospital also seems risky.

As childcare becomes a pressing issue, the arrival of Monica’s mum Soon-ja (Yuh-jung Youn) from Korea further stirs the pot. David suddenly has to share his cramped room with this mysterious, cackling pensioner who seems far removed from his idea of a stereotypical American grandma. Slowly the mismatched pair develop a cultural exchange: he introduces her to sugary but addictive Mountain Dew while she teaches him cards and some colourful curses.

The family mostly speak in Korean but their interactions – and underlying tensions – seem so universal and familiar that the subtitles practically melt away. It is impossible not to become invested in their struggle to make things work.

This deeply personal tale, captured in understated but gorgeously gauzy cinematography, makes America seem like a land of genuine opportunity again. As he goes about his gruelling work, Jacob sports a tattered red baseball cap, a subtle repudiation of Trump’s wretched and insular MAGA project. It is just one heartwarming grace note in a film overflowing with them.

Four stars out of five

Minari is on VOD from April 2

Lockdowns have taken income away from hundreds of Big Issue sellers. Support The Big Issue and our vendors by signing up for a subscription.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire review – a heartfelt and 'nostalgia-tickling' sequel
Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Film

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire review – a heartfelt and 'nostalgia-tickling' sequel

The Beautiful Game: Everything you need to know about Netflix's new Homeless World Cup film
Colin Farrell with the Scottish team, holding a football
Homeless World Cup

The Beautiful Game: Everything you need to know about Netflix's new Homeless World Cup film

Robot Dreams director Pablo Berger on grief, loss and the Oscars underdog winning hearts everywhere
Dog is baffled by the assembly instructions for his new robot pal in Robot Dreams
Film

Robot Dreams director Pablo Berger on grief, loss and the Oscars underdog winning hearts everywhere

Banel & Adama creator Ramata-Toulaye Sy on why Africa is so much more than its tragedies
Ramata-Toulaye Sy
Film

Banel & Adama creator Ramata-Toulaye Sy on why Africa is so much more than its tragedies

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know