Minari

Name: Minari
Genre: Drama
Released: December 11, 2020
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 89
Cast: Alan S. Kim, Darryl Cox, Eric Starkey, Esther Moon, Noel Cho

2020

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 49 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 203 Ratings

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8.0

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 203 Ratings

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Minari

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Movie Details & Credits

A24 | Release Date: December 11, 2020 | PG-13

Starring: Alan S. Kim, Darryl Cox, Eric Starkey, Esther Moon, Noel Cho, Scott Haze, Steven Yeun, Will Patton, Ye-ri Han, Yeo-Jong Yun

Movie Facts:

Received six Academy Award nominations including best picture.
Virtual cinema release on February 12; digital/VOD release on February 26.
Winner of the top prize (U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic) at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

Summary: A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in theA tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home. [A24]… Expand

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 115 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Ty Burr

Feb 9, 2021

Minari is as American as apple pie and kimchi, which is to say it’s what America is all about. Read full review

100

Nicholas Barber

Feb 17, 2021

Sensitively written and acted, beautifully shot, and with a charming, sparingly used score, Minari is so engaging that it's easy to forget how radical it is. Read full review

100

Phil de Semlyen

Apr 1, 2021

It’s at once intimate and expansive – a film with a big heart and not a bad word to say about anyone. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Jan 29, 2020

Chung transforms the specificity of his upbringing into something warm, tender and universal. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Dec 14, 2020

It’s impossible not to appreciate the deep understanding of human behavior, as well as the way that ordinary objects and situations acquire symbolic meaning when we think about them in relation to the characters. This is a lovely, unique film. Read full review

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

Feb 25, 2021

The cast’s performances are all so beautifully observed that you may end up wishing the film had given their characters a few more moments of quiet. Read full review

Richard Brody

Feb 10, 2021

The narrow and merely illustrative drama is matched, unfortunately, by an impersonal cinematography that fails to suggest texture or intimacy. Read full review

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User Reviews

ChanekeCholo

Dec 13, 2021

It's that kind of movie who made you feel happier at the end and after of that, and the score was perfect, sometimes I felt high.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Feb 21, 2021

This is the movie that should win the Oscar for best picture, flat out, hands down, no questions asked. Director Lee Isaac Chung's heartfelt domestic drama about a South Korean immigrant family seeking a fresh start and a better tomorrow in 1980s rural Arkansas is just the kind of movie thatThis is the movie that should win the Oscar for best picture, flat out, hands down, no questions asked. Director Lee Isaac Chung's heartfelt domestic drama about a South Korean immigrant family seeking a fresh start and a better tomorrow in 1980s rural Arkansas is just the kind of movie that we need right now, much as "Moonlight" was the film we needed in 2016. The picture's exquisite cinematography, nuanced script and narrative, and superb ensemble cast make for a moving cinematic experience that leaves viewers with a warm glow that lasts long after the movie's final frame. Richly deserving of the many accolades and award nominations it has received thus far, "Minari" truly stands out among this year's field of contenders, masterfully and lovingly handled in virtually every respect. I can't speak highly enough about the quality of this film and its power to help heal an ailing nation.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

LisaLR1

Mar 14, 2021

Minari Roots Deeply Planted in Resilience of Korean Family: Written and directed by Lee Issac Chung, "Minari" follows the Yi family, Jacob, Monica, their 2 children Anne and David and maternal Grandmother, Korean immigrants seeking to live their dream in 1980's America, when father JacobMinari Roots Deeply Planted in Resilience of Korean Family: Written and directed by Lee Issac Chung, "Minari" follows the Yi family, Jacob, Monica, their 2 children Anne and David and maternal Grandmother, Korean immigrants seeking to live their dream in 1980's America, when father Jacob buys land and moves them all to rural Arkansas to start a farm and garden growing Korean vegetables for wholesale market. The struggles and challenges they face in achieving the dream creates friction, but ultimately strengthens their bond as a family. Simple, relatable story, the film is beautifully shot and the acting from the cast is flawless.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FantasticMrMe04

Jan 6, 2021

Minari is an emotionally engaging and beautiful film. I had just learned this film existed a few weeks ago but since this film was getting such high praise I went into this with pretty high expectations. This is such a gentle yet emotionally straining film, it’s truly a special experience toMinari is an emotionally engaging and beautiful film. I had just learned this film existed a few weeks ago but since this film was getting such high praise I went into this with pretty high expectations. This is such a gentle yet emotionally straining film, it’s truly a special experience to watch. The plot is great it’s an entertaining and deeply engaging story. It starts off as a story that has been told before but becomes much much more. The pacing is great from the first scene until the credits role it’s well paced. The acting is great Steven Yeun and Yeri Han give great performances. Yuh-Jung Youn gives a fantastic supporting performance, she is easily one of the best parts of this film. Alan S. Kim and Noel Cho give great child performances as well.

The direction is fantastic from Lee Isaac Chung, his direction is incredibly impressive and you can tell he was very passionate about making this. The script is great it’s a memorable and very well written script. The cinematography is fantastic, this film is full of shots that are so beautiful it’ll make your jaw drop. There is a certain shot where Jacob and Monica are watching the kids playing in the hospital waiting room and the camera focuses back and forth on the two faces. That one shot perfectly captures the story of the characters in less than a minute. The editing is great and the score is great as well.

The comedy is very subtle but when there is comedy it’s wholesomely funny. In terms of the Oscars there’s a strong possibility that this will sadly be overlooked/snubbed. If this did get it’s deserved attention from the academy I feel this would probably get nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Supporting Actress: Yuh-Jung Youn. The ending scenes of the film are very emotional and the last shot is just brilliant. Overall Minari is wonderfully wholesome and emotionally engaging film that is truly a special movie. 94% A… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

RMckay

Mar 6, 2022

I'm usually turned off by films that seem baited for awards, and this film surely is. But that doesn't stop ne from loving this quaint and at times charmingly funny piece of work. Truly worth it's praises. Many moments that will have you reaching for tissues for sorrow and tears of joy. AI'm usually turned off by films that seem baited for awards, and this film surely is. But that doesn't stop ne from loving this quaint and at times charmingly funny piece of work. Truly worth it's praises. Many moments that will have you reaching for tissues for sorrow and tears of joy. A beautiful film for sure.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HerickDiener

Jan 4, 2021

"Minari" tem muito a agradecer ás atuações de Alan Kim e Youn Yuh-jung, peças fundamentais para que ele fosse um bom filme. Youn Yuh-jung em particular, minha atriz coadjuvante favorita da temporada de premiações até o momento. Não posso deixar passar, também, o ótimo trabalho de fotografia"Minari" tem muito a agradecer ás atuações de Alan Kim e Youn Yuh-jung, peças fundamentais para que ele fosse um bom filme. Youn Yuh-jung em particular, minha atriz coadjuvante favorita da temporada de premiações até o momento. Não posso deixar passar, também, o ótimo trabalho de fotografia feito por Lachlan Milne. Tive problemas com o ritmo do filme, mas garanto que você não irá dormir enquanto Youn Yuh-jung estiver em cena.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

hyunwest

May 5, 2021

bad movie. so boring. yawned many times, yoon yeojung was good at acting but she was even better in 계춘할망 and numerous other korean movies. if people think this is the peak of her acting n she deserves an oscar for it, she deserves 100x oscars for all the other work she did that were way morebad movie. so boring. yawned many times, yoon yeojung was good at acting but she was even better in 계춘할망 and numerous other korean movies. if people think this is the peak of her acting n she deserves an oscar for it, she deserves 100x oscars for all the other work she did that were way more amazing in my opinion. and as a korean american, i did not relate to minari in one bit, which is strange. maybe director lee isaac had a very niche experience. o well. idk why people could relate so well to this movie. did not see anything i see in my own immigrant experience in the US or relationships in my family. oh well _ (shrug shoulder)… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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10	#10 Best Movie of 2020
46	#46 Most Discussed Movie of 2020