This film is a piece of reality, but as such it does not add anything new to what we experience or what we see around us. It got me depressed, annoyed and upset at times. Lots of yelling and shouting-why do I have to go through this? The dramatic curve is almost non-existent. I give it a 6 for the acting, which is solid, and for the shimmering and clean appearance of the photography. Watch it if you like super common family dramas.
4 Reviews
Fine companion to Minari and Parasite. Korean films on a roll.
JohnDeSando15 February 2021
Owning a dry-cleaning shop in NYC is challenging enough; a Korean-American family with intergenerational dynamics ramps up that challenge. Such is the chaotic Happy Cleaners, a Korean buffet of clashing ambitions set against an abiding family love that refuses to cave to the parochial interests of strong Mom (Hyang-hwa Lim), lovingly-lost Dad (Charles Ryu), sharp sister Hyunny (Yeena Sung), and rebellious Kevin (Yun Jeong).
After 17 years in the same place, the family must give it up because of a lease not renewed by a young, brash landlord who sees them as a drag on his progressive ambitions. Not that that is enough disruption, for Kevin has dropped out of school, Hyunny has a boyfriend similarly out of school, Dad can achieve only fixing a boiler while trying to rein in his son, and Mom just tries what she best can do with the children, weak husband, and a losing business.
Amidst these common challenges of an immigrant family are truths for displaced persons of all persuasions-how to fight the urge to be deferential to the ruling class (in this case the white landlord and a brash young white woman who pretty much extorts compensation from dad over questionable damage to her dress) and how to keep a family together during parlous times for people of color from foreign countries.
The answer to survival turns on love, just as it does in another fine Korean-American tale, Minari. Happy Cleaners is more edgy and confrontative; Minari is quieter. Both echo the greatness of last year's Oscar winner, Parasite. Koreans know how to keep the emphasis on theme while telling an entertaining story that doesn't play to the star power of its actors.
It's about sweet survival and the characters who survive with love.
After 17 years in the same place, the family must give it up because of a lease not renewed by a young, brash landlord who sees them as a drag on his progressive ambitions. Not that that is enough disruption, for Kevin has dropped out of school, Hyunny has a boyfriend similarly out of school, Dad can achieve only fixing a boiler while trying to rein in his son, and Mom just tries what she best can do with the children, weak husband, and a losing business.
Amidst these common challenges of an immigrant family are truths for displaced persons of all persuasions-how to fight the urge to be deferential to the ruling class (in this case the white landlord and a brash young white woman who pretty much extorts compensation from dad over questionable damage to her dress) and how to keep a family together during parlous times for people of color from foreign countries.
The answer to survival turns on love, just as it does in another fine Korean-American tale, Minari. Happy Cleaners is more edgy and confrontative; Minari is quieter. Both echo the greatness of last year's Oscar winner, Parasite. Koreans know how to keep the emphasis on theme while telling an entertaining story that doesn't play to the star power of its actors.
It's about sweet survival and the characters who survive with love.
Very real and relatable!
hud-4421525 February 2022
I really liked this movie. Do I dare say I liked it more than Minari? For me it was more relatable and hit upon so many things that I don't think Minari did for me. Disclaimer: my parents also owned a dry cleaners and I grew up in Flushing. Kudos to the team that wrote, produced and directed it and to the actors and actresses! I thought they did an amazing job. Thank you for giving me a film I can relate to. Btw where can I download the songs from the soundtrack?
Great Film
billcr121 October 2021
A Korean-American family living in Queens, NY struggle to survive with a dry cleaning business while their son and daughter work to establish their American identities. The script is razor sharp and insightful, showing a deep understanding of the immigrant experience in America. The actors seem like real people in a documentary being followed by a camera crew. I was captivated from the beginning to the end of this remarkable film. One of the best movies of 2019 and an absolutely unforgettable experience.
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