Bong Joon-ho - Parasite (2019), 7/10

Bong Joon-ho creates a picture with great detail but also one that entertains throughout practically every moment without exception. The cinematography is immediately recognizable as precise yet tastefully artistic, the characters are all remarkably strong, and its story has cross-cultural impact. Its only weakness in its broadest class themes; despite its emotional effect in terms of personal story, in majority it fails to provide any complexity or thought-provoking commentary outside of the obvious. This is a film where intelligent audiences are taken for a ride, albeit a thrilling one, rather than creating their own interpretations. For this reason, the film does not grow with subsequent viewings, rather narrows toward its comedy, but fortunately this comedy is almost entirely successful and interesting, so is still worth its time and a place on the shelf. Almost no error can be felt in the visual presentation or the performances of Parasite, so its only sparse shortcomings are in screenwriting, specifically in some of its dialogue. These are subjective shortcomings rather than errors, but the film leans so heavily into its class commentary that the stakes are instantly raised both for the narrative and its tangential thematic explorations. The most interesting aspect of these broad themes is in potential for social mobility, or lack thereof in the end, and more interestingly the consequences of these structures for the individual, both those existing at the top of the summit and those drowning underneath the surface, victimized through perceived weakness. Their capability is appropriately underestimated and satisfyingly flips the narrative on end just as it begins to wane. Brilliant pacing aids the non-stop entertainment, giving the film mass appeal beyond the nuance of its structural observations. Parasite is a rather brilliant interpretation and exploration of class through interesting and beautifully developed characters.