17. “Minari” – Director/writer Lee Isaac Chung helms an autobiographical feature of his childhood – or a small sliver of it – from the 1980s. Jacob (Steven Yeun) leads his family to the middle of nowhere in Arkansas to start a farm and grow Korean vegetables. Without much of an economic safety net, he realizes the slim chances of actually lassoing the American dream. His wife Monica (Yeri Han), her mother, and their two kids feel the monetary friction in a frank, authentic struggle within the home. “Minari” feels similar to Jim Sheridan’s immigrant tale “In America” (2002), and that’s a compliment!
⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Image and Trailer credits: A24
