Parasite

Like most of my reviews, this one is long overdue.  Annie and I saw the movie Parasite during the Chicago International Film Festival back in October.  The festival featured many foreign films, but this one in particular was getting a lot of buzz.  The South Korean film continues to get high praise and is in contention for Oscar nominations.

Originally, I wanted to see the film because of it's rumored beautiful cinematography and color.  I was picturing a Wes Anderson type concept with South Korean influence.  I could not have been more wrong.  Although it is wonderfully shot, it is not the bright satire I was expecting.  Parasite is a story about a poor family that will do anything they can to get by.  When the son get's a job working as a tutor for an upper class family, many opportunities present themselves.  I don't wish to explain any further, as mystery is what makes this movie so great.

Parasite is an experience.  The director creates a sense of unease from the start of the film, and you just wait for it to break.  I don't totally understand how.  It could be the title, or maybe the acting.  But there's no eerie music, or scary monsters.  Just a feeling.  A feeling that something is wrong.  As you proceed through this journey, you find yourself on a roller coaster; and once it's hit it's peak, it's full speed.  By no means would I call the film a horror, but there is fear, and there is violence.  The suspenseful drama is well written, and filled with deep symbolism.  

My mom always said there are 2 things that make a good film.  One, you keep talking about it after it's over.  Two, you learn or see something new every time you watch it.  I believe this is one of those films, and I look forward to watching it again soon.

Photo Credit: IMDb

Rating: 5/5

Movie Details: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6751668/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1