Parasite

Parasite is a film from the Korean director of Snowpiercer.  If you've seen Snowpiercer, you'd agree that he's interested in telling stories that say something about current social issues, class differences, and the divides that our varying economies create throughout our world.  Parasite really showcases his ability to tell a very heavy story in an engaging and entertaining way that crosses cultural boundaries.  I wasn't a big fan of Snowpiercer, but this one is a really well made movie that kept my interest throughout and surprised me.

Without giving anything away, the movie begins in what I think was South Korea with a family who lives on the verge of homelessness and in real poverty.  This is shown with a subtle, light humor, rather than a plea for us, as viewers, to immediately feel bad for them.  They seem to be bright, interesting people who are just down on their luck.  They are making money any way they can - folding pizza boxes for a local restaurant is what we see at first.  You get the understanding that they live day by day.  If they don't make some cash each day, they probably don't eat.  The story is set in Korea, but this could easily translate to our western world.

Soon, their teenage son receives a visit from a friend who tips him off that he should apply to be a tutor for a local wealthy family.  He does apply and he gets the job, which sets off a chain of escalating events that would spoil the movie if I continued to explain.  The previews for the movie don't give it away, so I won't either.  What I will say is, by the end of the movie, you completely understand the title and would agree it's very apt.

If I'm honest, this movie made me very uncomfortable.  It's kind of brilliant in that way.  Situations we experience in every day life, such as throwing together an afternoon party for friends and family, are luxuries that many in our world can't afford or even conceive of.  It's a sad but true scenario.  So, movies and stories like this make me feel guilty in some ways.  Guilty of not stopping to appreciate the little things often enough.  Guilty of not seeking more ways to assist and help others who may be less fortunate.  Am I doing enough to contribute to society?  These are heavy notions to be challenged with when watching a movie that's as well-drawn and truly entertaining as this one.  Obviously, this is part of its appeal and why the movie has caught on so well with the critical community.

The plot was surprising enough that about mid-way through it throws you a few curveballs to keep you guessing.  I naively thought I had it all figured out about 45 minutes in, but thankfully I was wrong.  The movie offers you a lot.  It has an intriguing narrative, slick visuals, a Hitchcock-like tone, and powerful social commentary.  It's a heavy two plus hours at the movies, but it's worth it.

In the end, I was left with an uneasy feeling though.  Stories like this put a lens on some real and important issues, but their job isn't to really offer any answers.  With real issues like overpopulation and a growing social divide, how do we make things better for all, not just for a few?  Of course, the answers aren't easy and they are riddled with complexities.  Again, this is a slick, entertaining "punch-in-the-face" of a movie that I'll be thinking about for days.  In part, because I certainly don't have all the answers.