By I don’t have many regrets, but if I had one that’s been kicking me for the past few months, it would be my review for Parasite. When I first saw the movie I enjoyed it, but didn’t love it like most other critics, but the longer I’ve spent away from the movie, the more and more I enjoy it. Parasite is a brilliant satire and the fact that it’s been able to earn heaps of critical praise despite a very real language barrier is incredibly impressive. Consider this me formally saying that my opinion has changed on it and that now I’m a Bong fan for life. After all, it’s not often that a foreign language picture is able to make history in the way that Parasite is currently doing.
Adding on to its historical importance, Bong Joon-Ho’s thriller made history last night at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards not once, but twice. First, Parasite has become the first foreign language feature to be nominated for its most prized award, Best Ensemble Cast. Not only that, but Parasite was able to take that award, becoming not only the first South Korean movie to win a SAG award, but also the first foreign language movie ever to win the Best Ensemble Cast in the award’s 26 year history. And like a great dad, Bong Joon-Ho sat in the crowd with recording his cast accept the award with a smile beaming across his face.
This is a monumental win for the South Korean film, giving it even more momentum as we inch closer and closer to the Oscars. It seems like whenever the movie is brought up for discussion, it’s only to talk about how wonderful the movie is. While there is conceivable controversy surrounding nearly every other major awards nominee this year, like The Irishman’s association with Netflix, Joker’s depiction of mental health, and Jojo Rabbit’s polarizing showcase of Nazis and fascism, it’s hard to think of any real flaws with Parasite. It’s probably the best movie that’s nominated for Best Picture and is quickly becoming one of the most talked about movies of the awards season for all of the right reasons.
If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly encourage you to do so. Every member of the cast delivers and standout performance with none of them being a weak link. Most of the writers here at Flixist love it, most critics love it, most audiences love it, pretty much everyone loves Parasite. It’s back in theaters for a little bit to tie into the awards season, so don’t sleep on it.
