“Minari” proves to be an exceptionally lovely movie, enjoyable from beginning to end. This very personal film, penned and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, recounts the experiences of a Korean-American family striving for a better life when they relocate from California to rural Arkansas. Jacob (Steven Yeun) hopes to establish his own farm and sell Korean vegetables to cater to the expanding immigrant community, while his wife Monica (Yeri Han) quietly struggles with her worries. Their two children (Alan S. Kim, Noel Cho) seem to adjust more easily, but things get complicated when their spirited grandmother (Yuh-jung Youn) arrives. The film, set in the 1980s, offers a fresh perspective on the immigrant experience in America, portraying what it must be like to confront unfamiliar surroundings while holding onto the belief of a positive future. Jacob’s ambition and determination are admirable, even though his aspirations are depleting the family's resources. It isn’t often that so many outstanding performances of the year appear within one film, but this is one of those instances. The acting is superb across the board, from Will Patton’s supporting role as a religious Korean War veteran to Han’s subtle portrayal of a wife who feels ashamed to be living in a mobile home far from anywhere. While all of the actors deliver commendable work, Kim and Youn are particularly memorable. I immediately felt a strong connection with each character, people for whom I would readily wish success. It seems that if you're not completely invested and hoping for this endearing family’s triumph, something is seriously wrong. The story examines both moments of great joy and deep sorrow with a disarming genuineness and revealing understanding. The narrative has broad appeal thanks to its optimistic tone, even when difficult events occur. “Minari” might contain some familiar sentiments (like the idea that even when you’re on the verge of losing everything, a new day will come and things will improve because you still have one another), but this heartwarming story about immigrants pursuing a dream is presented within an exceptionally lovely film that's delightful in every way.

Source on TMDB