Written by Peyton Brock, Image courtesy of Den of Geek
What is the movie “Parasite?” It’s made up of a lot of aspects, any one of which could be the sole driving force of an average film. However, with “Parasite,” director and co-writer Bong Joon-ho melds all of these parts together into a uniquely cohesive whole.
The Kim family lives in a small. semi-basement apartment, seemingly trapped in poverty, as they lack the opportunity and means to change their situation. The Park family lives in a beautiful hillside estate, the father, a wealthy businessman, providing a comfortable and lavish life for his wife and two children. However, when the son of the Kim family gets the opportunity of being an English tutor for the Parks’ daughter, the Kims’ begin a scheme to try and improve their quality of life. This scheme, as most do, goes downhill in ways never imagined.
As with Joon-ho’s other films, such as “The Host” and “Snowpiercer,” “Parasite” defies categorization in any one genre, blurring the lines between a witty comedy, taught thriller and intimate drama. With its comedy, “Parasite” accomplishes the near impossible task of overcoming language and cultural barriers, bringing clever, character driven comedy that is entertaining not only to Korean audiences, but international ones as well. “Parasite” uses camera work and cinematography that is not flashy, but rather grounded, intimate and beautiful. It avoids spectacle in favor of small moments of true emotion. The film’s characters are all varied, eccentric and ridiculous, each in their own memorable way, yet still uniquely human and real. Even the more outlandish characters remain grounded and understandable, played and directed in a way that gives them believability and truth. “Parasite” features scenes that are wrought with tension and suspense. The characters become more vulnerable and real than ever.
A clear and driving force behind the tones, characters and plot of “Parasite” is the concept of the economic class divide present throughout the modern world. The Kims’ face the inequality and unfair nature of poverty and the difficulty in escaping it. The Park family typifies the wealthy, living in ignorance and indifference to those bellow them. The comedy presented in the film is driven by the ridiculous and desperate lengths the Kim family goes to just so they can live a better life. The drama and suspense arise from the hostile environment that oppression and struggle produces. “Parasite” is nothing if not an attempt to showcase the strife and conflict, be it played for comedy or drama, that economic class struggle breeds.
Though its unconventional blend of genres and unpredictable plot may be jarring for some, “Parasite” is a masterful example of a film that transcends cultures, speaks to relevant and important themes and showcases skilled craft in all areas of production. All the while, this film provides entertainment that is hilarious, thrilling and touching. Already winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival, “Parasite” is sure to go on to even more acclaim and success.
