Parasite (2019 Bong Joon Ho, streamed on Stan)
Director Bong has brought South Korean cinema to the English speaking masses, and with Parasite's best film Oscar we have seen what is likely only a short term incursion of non-English language winners (we can hope for more, but I suspect it will be a while before we see this as a regular occurrence, just look at the number of women who have won best director since Kathryn Bigelow).
For me personally I have been mixed on director Bong's work. Well not so much mixed as not as enamoured with some of his films. I saw Memories of Murder back when it was at MIFF, and it did not grab me as much as it has many others. I missed The Host (although I have just finished watching that) and loved Mother. Anyway my expectations going into Parasite were confident I would enjoy the film, but still wondering how much.
Parasite is a beautiful looking film, that house, wow, and to hear it is just a set, not a real house, is amazing. It feels real, complete, solid, the layout is tangible. I loved the performances; So-dam Park as Ki Jung in particular, but the whole cast was excellent. The plot and humour were entertaining, however it just did not capture me entirely. I am not sure why, a bit of unwanted dread on my part, maybe.
It has been a few days since I have seen the film and writing about it has me wondering why I am not ecstatic about the film. Maybe because like The Host, at around 3/4s of the way through the film there is a bit of a lull in the pace and my attention, just a slight slip.
Parasite ends up middle tier on director Bong's filmography.
Rating: 78 / 100