In the wake of the Oscars yesterday, I thought it would be good to write about a film I have a lot of love for but don’t want to heavily discuss – Parasite. It’s tricky to describe, and I think audiences should go in blind.
I am also two weeks behind (help) on this blog at the moment, but on the plus side, I haven’t been fired from my other writing-about-movies job which pays me money. So, priorities are in order.
Whinging and excuses out of the way, here’s my plan for this week: give you some thoughts about Bong Joon Ho’s hit, but, as my style guide at work would say, in a way that ~excites and intrigues~ you without giving much away. I’ll also use the film’s various Oscar wins for a bit of listicle-esque thematic guidance – if you’re sceptical of the Oscars*, feel free to ignore those.
Best Original Screenplay – What’s this film about?
Very brief, spoiler-free summary is this: the poor Kim family live in a semi-basement apartment, working temporary jobs and struggling to keep afloat. With the help of a friend, son Ki-woo fakes his way into a job tutoring the daughter of the rich Park family.
Seeing the Parks’ generosity and gullibility, the Kims gradually work to infiltrate the lavish Park home, taking full advantage of the opportunity they’ve found. But, just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Parasite morphs from black comedy into something else all together: something darker, sadder and more twisted.
Best International Feature – It’s in Korean though, hey?
Yes, but you will be absolutely fine. I completely forgot I was watching a film in another language, and the broader themes of Parasite transcend South Korea’s specific socioeconomic circumstances.
There might be small nuances you’ll miss or misunderstand, but Parasite is HIGHLY RELATABLE.
Best Director – Sounds pretty quality…
It is. The cast are excellent. The cinematography, editing and colour grading of the whole film is beautiful and precise – everything is clever and considered without being hit-you-over-the-head “arty”. It’s sharp, funny and fast-paced, and you’ll never feel like the long runtime is outstaying its welcome.
And while we’re on the topic of directing, Bong Joon Ho is a proud dad, drinking legend and absolute icon.
Best Picture – What makes Parasite so special?
For me, the thing that makes Parasite such a lightning-in-a-bottle film is that it’s not only challenging and well-crafted, but also accessible. It’s funny, suspenseful and sad – exciting to watch, but also complex and symbolic. You could enjoy it simply as a darkly funny horror, or take it home and read about it for hours.
I’d have trouble writing a clear, one-sentence thesis statement on what Parasite is trying to say, and I think that’s the mark of a really special film. Bong Joon Ho isn’t presenting us with a nicely-wrapped message to take home, but instead creating a warped, exaggerated tale of a dystopia we already inhabit – a world where we’ll always push the people below us further down on our quest to the top, because we don’t want to be the ones in the basement.
This is a 7/7. I didn’t love it with all my heart the way I loved Little Women or Wilderpeople, but it’s essentially a perfect film.
*You can be sceptical all you like, but don’t try to tell me that Billie Eilish’s baffled side-eye for spontaneous Eminem isn’t the greatest moment in TV history.
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