#TIFF19: “PARASITE”

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

I walked into Bong Joon-ho’s Palme d’Or winning Parasite almost completely blind. The story of two families and the struggles between their classes is best experienced with little to no knowledge of the plot and its surprises, so I will not ruin that mindset for the small few who have no idea what’s in store for them.

What I will say is that Parasite is easily one of the best, if not the singular best, films of the year. Hyperbolic praise happens at Festivals all the time, but this one is the real deal that surpasses the buzz. It tells an incredibly-nuanced and layered story, and is filled with terrific performances from the entire Cast. There is not one weak link among them. It is ravishing in its beauty and details, saying so much about the characters with each passing frame. The way it captures class politics so subtly is simply magnificent. And while it can get particularly bloody in some instances, Parasite is surprisingly-funny even at its most bleak. The moment the credits rolled, I felt my bones shake and knew I had experienced something truly unique and special. Do what you need to, and do not let this one pass you by.

PARASITE screens during TIFF at the following times:

Friday September 6, 8:30pm @ Ryerson Theatre
Saturday September 7, 1:30pm @ Scotiabank Theatre