On top of the sea of accolades for the Korean film ‘Parasite’, I’ll add this – this film is nearly impossible to define, or at the very least, to categorize. And yes, that IS a positive. In a cinematic era in which re-boots seem to be the best response to cries for originality, something as unique and fearless and just plain different as ‘Parasite’ should be celebrated.
Tragedy, social satire, suspense and horror all somehow collide in writer/director Bong Joon Ho’s story. ‘Parasite’ begins in one of the poorest neighborhoods of a South Korean city, as we’re introduced to the Kim family, barely surviving by folding pizza boxes in their dilapidated basement apartment. Their college-age son Ki-woo (Choi Woo-Shik) is presented with an opportunity; masquerade as an English tutor for Da-hye (Ji-so Jung), the teenage daughter of the Parks, a successful family who live in jaw dropping luxury in a lush mansion. Using a bogus diploma to seal the deal, Ki-woo is soon followed by the rest of his family who pose as reliable employees – members of a servant class – to fill the various menial jobs that cater to the self-indulgent needs of this clan who are very, very rich…and seemingly very, very gullible.
For the first half of the film, it’s fun to watch the Kim family as they orchestrate their infiltration into the lives of the Parks….first their home, then their bank accounts. But on the home stretch, ‘Parasite’ takes a heavy turn as we, the audience, are left to debate whether to empathize with their maneuvers (or, depending on which side of the fence you sit, WHICH family to empathize with), cheer them on, or deride them for their decisions. And lo and behold, something much, much darker at play not only emerges, but has been brewing the entire time.
‘Parasite’ won’t be for all tastes – simply put, subtitles throw some viewers off, as does a tale with this many layers. But it’s impossible to debate this film’s brilliance.
