For the record: Sean kinda hates this title, but there was nothing we workshopped that was any better, so.
For the uninitiated, “TANSTAAFL” is an acronym meaning “There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.” It derives from Robert Heinlein’s novel The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It’s one of my favorites of his, although there are a couple of things in it that don’t make a ton of sense. But if you’re along for the ride, you don’t really mind so much. Also, if you’ve read the book, check out the audiobook. The reader puts a neat spin on it that gave me a whole new perspective.
Where was I? Oh, yeah. Reel 59.
In this episode we look at a couple of unconventional families who are caught up in the dark side of capitalism. We start with 2018’s Shoplifters, written and directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. It’s a Japanese film about a family that succeeds, largely through various forms of deception. And it works—until it doesn’t. There are some moments of high drama, others with comedy, and a couple of really sweet scenes involving these folks just spending time together and exploring their relationships with one another.
In Part Two we jump to Korea and 2019’s Parasite, directed and co-written by Bong Joon Ho. It’s a comedy throughout until, again, everything goes wrong and the tone changes. But, like Shoplifters (and, for that matter, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress), you’re already so enthralled by the story that you’re going to want to ride it out. Parasite is so good that it won four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film. And my personal opinion is that these awards will stand up to scrutiny in later years (looking at you, Rocky, Crash and Forrest Gump).