Parasite * * * * ½
This is a very funny, clever Korean movie. It swings between social commentary and a caper comedy.
The title of the film says it all. A poor family from the wrong side of the track devise a plan to leech off a very wealthy family. Although they could be considered caricatures, director/Screen writer Bong Joon-ho hasn't given us predictable goodies and baddies. In their own flawed way, everyone is actually quite likeable.
The poor folk are cheeky rogues who have learnt every street smart skill in order to get along; the rich folk are almost naive about their social position and wealth. It's like they sweetly assume the whole world lives rather like they do. Even natural catastrophes like floods, just seem to pass them by.
We are introduced to the poor family living in a basement apartment, making their meagre income from folding pizza boxes. But the son and daughter have learnt other skills. He can speak English and she can forge any degree or document you might want. So he asserts himself to the wealthy Park family as a qualified English teacher for their daughter, and she as an art teacher/therapist for their son. The bullshit they spin to achieve these positions is hilarious. Not long after that they manage to find positions for Mum and Dad.
Meanwhile, one of the ousted ex-staff members returns to sort an issue that turns out to be more than minor giving both comical and meaningful reference to the drama and a boil over ending.
The title of the film says it all. A poor family from the wrong side of the track devise a plan to leech off a very wealthy family. Although they could be considered caricatures, director/Screen writer Bong Joon-ho hasn't given us predictable goodies and baddies. In their own flawed way, everyone is actually quite likeable.
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| A square box for a round product that gets cut into triangles, hmmm? |
We are introduced to the poor family living in a basement apartment, making their meagre income from folding pizza boxes. But the son and daughter have learnt other skills. He can speak English and she can forge any degree or document you might want. So he asserts himself to the wealthy Park family as a qualified English teacher for their daughter, and she as an art teacher/therapist for their son. The bullshit they spin to achieve these positions is hilarious. Not long after that they manage to find positions for Mum and Dad.
Meanwhile, one of the ousted ex-staff members returns to sort an issue that turns out to be more than minor giving both comical and meaningful reference to the drama and a boil over ending.
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