Okja is four or five films in a single one. It is a drama, a sci fi, a comedy and maybe a satire as well, and many more things, maybe even a thriller. It is a kind of film, which have bit of everything, which is all over the place, and still everything works, quite rare. It could have easily been called as a chaotic mess or undercooked or overcooked, but in fact it really isn't. It is a lovely mess.
It has very contrasting elements, the very first scene is; an evil CEO of meat company is promoting her beaf, she tells how she is going to revolutionize the pig meat industry by producing meat from genetically mutated large pigs, which are enormous, probably the size of elephant's baby. Now that scene is business like, very monotonous and superficial and sick. As the evil lady finishes telling her stupid plan, the camera cuts short. We are now in a completely different part of the world. Previous was New York and now some remote mountain somewhere in Korea. It is natural and heavenly. Its surprising how the film shifts from one extreme element to other. And it does this constantly throughout the film, jumping from one thing to the other. It is as if, it draws parallels between two worlds; the world of little pig with a loving girl and all the others. Okja shows quite many things through that comparison.
The one element of this lovely mess is the cultural aspect. The world of Koreans and Americans really blends charmingly. Its quite a thing to watch the best actors of both the cultures come together and it feels so mesmerizing. Good and bad people are on both the sides. It is faulty little charming world. Sometimes the characters feel strange, caricaturish and stupid. And at other times it feels that it would been more stupid if they weren't the way they were.
From two of the Bong Joon-ho's film I have watched till now, its pretty clear that he likes humour a lot in his films. In Okja there are moments of humour which comes so unexpectedly and still makes impact. His humour I personally find amusing.
The actors were quirky. I have never seen this stupid, idiosyncratic and high pitched Jake Gyllenhaal. And I am not sure whether I loved seeing him like that. Paul Dano was also a suprise. Tilda Swinton was fabulous. But Seo-Hyeon Ahn caught my attention the most, as determined, sweet and brave girl who will do whatever she can to get her Okja back. The chemistry between her and Okja is heavenly. Its such a delight to watch. Other supporting actors fill the void pretty well. Okja have a huge cast; Lily Collins, Steven Yeun and Devon Bostick are perfect as partners of Paul Dano's character.
More than anything Okja is a shows plight to maintain the man and nature's balance. However it is not at all preachy or over melodramatic. The ending, though, less satisfying, leaves one with sense of kindness and sorrow for animals. Okja serves its purpose. Okja knows that people will still kill animals for satisfying their tastebuds, they will be ruthless and cruel. And so it doesn't beg, it just shows and leaves you with state of melancholy. Yet giving you sense of hope as well. Its a beautiful film, not devoid of minor flaws, but beautiful to its core.
Rating : ★★★½
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