THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 • THE BULLETIN
GO! MAGAZINE • PAGE 19
MOVIES & SHOWTIMES
bendbulletin.com/gowatch
‘Minari’ epitomizes the American dream
BY MAKENZIE WHITTLE • The Bulletin
I
t’s not uncommon to be captivated by effortless storytelling and performances only to be left with an emotional one-two punch that had slowly been building
since the start. The emotional release felt by the end of Lee Isaac Chung’s stunning film “Minari” almost sneaks up on you after nearly two hours of quiet
building.
Chung works from elements of his own
personal story as the son of Korean immi-
grants to bring to the screen a deeply per-
sonal and resonating story of the Yi family.
The film opens as the Yi’s slowly wind
down gravel and dirt roads in Arkansas
farm country, with an off-brand U-Haul
and the family station wagon until finally
arriving in an open field with a beige dou-
ble-wide trailer in the middle of it.
When Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun) jumps
out of the truck, his eyes are wide with op-
timism but his wife, Monica (Yeri Han),
seems shocked by the state of things.
We learn they have left California to pur-
sue Jacob’s dream of owning land and grow-
ing Korean vegetables to sell to markets in
the surrounding states.
Despite Monica’s clear resentment of the
situation, they settle in with their two chil-
dren, Anne (Noel Cho) and David (Alan
Kim), who’s eyes we largely see the story
through.
Tensions surround Jacob and Monica
who both take up jobs at the chicken factory
and things eventually come to a head. They
decide to bring Monica’s unconventional
mother Soonja (Yuh-Jung Youn) to stay
with them and help watch the children.
But it’s not enough.
More Information
“Minari”
120 minutes
Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements
and a rude gesture.
Plan B/A24
Alan S. Kim, left, and Steven Yeun perform in a scene from “Minari” (2020).
The film is full of little moments that
deepen the realism of Chung’s vision re-
quires and has virtually unnoticeable exposi-
tion to move things along. Instead “Minari”
relies on the simple moments in the family’s
lives and characterization to propel the story.
While the film is full of great perfor-
mances, including Alan Kim, who is de-
lightfully fresh and seems to take to acting
easily for someone so young, two actors
movie times for the week of April 1
BEND — MCMENAMINS
McMenamins Old St. Francis School,
700 NW Bond St., Bend, 541-382-5174,
mcmenamins.com
Godzilla vs. Kong (PG-13) Wed: 3:30,
6:15 Thu, Fri: 4:30, 7:15 Sat, Sun: 11:30,
2:30, 5:30 Mon, Tue: 4:30, 7:15 Wed: 3:30,
6:15
Younger than 21 may attend screenings if
accompanied by a legal guardian.
tion to David is also remarkable in their mo-
ments alone as they venture to the creek on
their property to harvest the minari plants she
brought with her from Korea. Stealing away to
give him sage advice on the heartiness of the
plant to grow wherever it is rooted.
The beautifully rolling story is steeped in
realism like few films are able to do. With a
gorgeously flowing script with simple allu-
sions to the overarching plot that sneak in
and help build viewers to that quietly emo-
tional conclusion.
“Minari” is worthy of all the accolades
and nominations it has been receiving. It is
a beautiful and moving journey that epito-
mizes the American dream with undertones
of the untold strengths of a family at its heart.
Open captioning provided for some
screenings.
BEND — TIN PAN
Tin Pan Theater, 869 NW Tin Pan Alley, Bend,
541-241-2271, tinpantheater.com
2021 Oscar Nominated Shorts —
Animation (no MPAA rating) Sun: 6:30
Mon, Tue: 7
2021 Oscar Nominated Shorts —
stand out.
Steven Yeun is brilliant. He excellently
navigates the torment of a father on the
verge of losing it all but determined to stick
it through. And Yuh-Jung Youn is such a
surprise the moment she arrives on screen.
Instead of being what would be considered
a traditional or strict grandmother, she is fun
and easygoing, showing us through the jokes
that she deeply loves her family. Her connec-
Accessibility devices are available for some movies at
Regal Old Mill Stadium 16 and IMAX and Sisters Movie
House.
Documentary (no MPAA rating) Fri: 4,
Sat: 7 Sun: 3:30 Wed: 4
2021 Oscar Nominated Shorts — Live
Action (no MPAA rating) Fri: 7 Sat: 4
Mon, Tue: 4 Wed: 7
REDMOND — ODEM PUB
Odem Theater Pub, 349 SW Sixth St., Redmond,
541-425-1850, odemtheaterpub.com
Godzilla vs. Kong (PG-13) Thu: 4, 6:20 Fri-
Reporter: 541-383-0304, mwhittle@bendbulletin.com
There may be an additional fee for 3D and IMAX.
Movie times may change after press time. Contact
individual cinemas for the most current schedules.
Sun: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30 Mon-Wed: 4:25, 6:10
Nobody (R) Thu: 4:40, 6:45 Fri-Sun: 3:25,
5:40, 7:50 Mon-Wed: 4:05, 6:50
MADRAS
Madras Cinema 5, 1101 SW U.S. Highway 97,
Madras, 541-475-3505, madrascinema5.com
Godzilla vs. Kong (PG-13) Thu: 4:05,
7:10 Fri-Sun: 1:10, 4:05, 4:35, 7:10, 7:30
Mon-Wed: 7:10, 7:30
Monster Hunter (PG-13) Thu: 7:20
Nobody (R) Thu: 4:15, 6:50 Fri-Sun: 1:45,
4:15, 6:50 Mon-Wed: 6:50
Raya and the Last Dragon (PG) Thu: 4,
7 Fri-Sun: 1, 4, 7 Mon-Wed: 7
Raya and the Last Dragon — Spanish
Dubbed (PG) Thu: 4, 7
Tom & Jerry (PG) Thu-Sun: 4:40 Fri: 2
Tom & Jerry — Spanish Dubbed (PG)
Fri-Sun: 1:50, 4:40, 7:20 Mon-Wed: 7:20