Mr. Movie: ‘Parasite’ one of the year’s best movies

A lot of you hate “reading” movies. Make an exception for the subtitled “Parasite.” It is a must-see movie. Underline, italicize and put that sentence in bold font.

I can’t — and won’t — tell you a lot about the plot. In this case, too much information ruins the fun. A family of con artists gets involved with a wealthy family. Weird things happen that lead to a shocking and tragic, but also — in an odd sort of way — a comic conclusion.

The film is co-written and directed by Bong Joon-Ho. He did the 2013 futuristic, sci-fi thriller “Snowpiercer” with Song Kang-ho — who stars here — and Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, John Hurt and Octavia Spencer. It set them in a post-apocalyptic world. All of the survivors on the planet just happen to be on that train.

Joon-Ho then spins the end of the world theme in a most original way.

“Parasite” isn’t apocalyptic but it, too, is spun in most clever ways. Don’t let the title fool you. The story doesn’t involve little leechy insects. In this case the parasites involved are much larger and are of the human being variety.

Joon-Ho specializes in interesting characters. In this case — and that of “Snowpiercer” — they’re all quite two-dimensional. Rich or poor, the characters in “Parasite” are shallow, self-absorbed and very flawed human beings. At the same time, he frames them in unique ways and puts them in situations where a third dimension can evolve.

At least for some of them.

This, too, is part of what makes “Parasite” such a fun movie. Most of the Chinese and Korean movies that make their way to main-stream theater screens in the U.S. are action flicks crammed with karate, blood and gore. They’re cheaply done, badly edited and wildly popular.

Once in a while — shall we say — a “real” movie makes it here. This is a film with a story that doesn’t involve robed individuals with huge swords, or villains and heroes garbed in black, and all of them feet and fists of stone. Sadly, most of those “real” movies don’t get all that much attention.

“Parasite” is the exception.

It is getting so much critical praise that the movie is slowly getting a wider and wider release. Fortunately for art film lovers in the Tri-Cities, and those that truly love great cinema, Fairchild Cinemas Southgate 10 is one of those theaters.

If you love original cinema, then do not — under any circumstances — miss “Parasite.” By the way, do not take the word original in the last sentence lightly. This is a very different, and quite unusual tale and it is difficult to define.

It is comedy for sure. As the story evolves it gets a bit darker and moves into drama territory. Then to horror? Maybe. For me the definition is much simpler. This is just an exceptionally well-done movie and — in a year full of very, very good movies — it is among the best.

Oh, as for the dislike some of you have for reading movies? Get over it.

▪ Rated R for mature themes, language and violence. It’s playing at the Fairchild Cinemas Southgate 10.

▪ Rating: 5 out of 5

This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Mr. Movie: ‘Parasite’ one of the year’s best movies."