In A Great Divide, a Korean American family faces racism and xenophobia in Wyoming while confronting loss, love, and redemption.
Director: Jean Shim
Genre: Drama
Run Time: 100′
U.S. Release: November 26, 2024
U.K. Release: TBA
Where to Watch: on digital and on demand
Few films tackle racism and xenophobia with the intimacy of A Great Divide. Directed by Jean Shim, the film follows the Lee family – Isaac (Ken Jeong, of Fool’s Paradise), Jenna (Jae Suh Park), and their teenage son Benjamin (Emerson Min) – as they trade the bustling comfort of San Francisco for the open skies of rural Wyoming. After a tragic loss, this move is meant to be a fresh start, but it quickly becomes clear that Wyoming’s beauty hides a harsh reality.
The family is met with hostility and prejudice, forcing them to confront not only the world’s ugliness but also the wounds within their own home. It’s a deeply emotional story that doesn’t shy away from the pain of its subject matter, even when its execution stumbles.
The film opens with stunning, almost meditative shots of Wyoming’s sprawling landscapes, open roads cutting through rolling hills, mountains standing tall against the sky, and wildlife moving through untouched wilderness. This serene imagery sets the stage for what could have been a peaceful escape, but the stillness of the land quickly feels isolating, mirroring the emotional and cultural barriers the Lees face. It’s a striking juxtaposition, enhanced by Everett Kim’s score, which perfectly balances heartbreak and hope. The music is a consistent highlight, adding emotional weight even when the script falters.
The performances here are a bit of a mixed bag. Jae Suh Park delivers the film’s most powerful moment with a monologue roughly 40 minutes in, where her character, Jenna, recounts past experiences with racism. The scene is raw and deeply human; Park’s delivery captures the quiet fury and heartbreak of someone who has been carrying this pain for far too long. Her voice cracks at just the right moments, and you can see her struggle to hold it together for her family while also releasing years of bottled-up anguish. It’s easily the film’s standout scene and a testament to her acting skills.
Ken Jeong, mostly known for his comedic roles, surprises with a more restrained and heartfelt performance as Isaac. He, too, has a monologue reflecting on the racism he’s faced in the past, something he hid from everyone to keep the family strong. It’s a quieter, reflective moment that feels deeply personal. Jeong’s ability to convey so much pain with subtlety is impressive, and it adds layers to a character who otherwise doesn’t get as much development as Jenna. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Emerson Min as Benjamin, whose performance often feels stiff, though it’s hard to tell if that’s a fault of the actor or the script.
The dialogue is also one of the film’s weakest aspects. It often feels forced, like characters are delivering lines rather than having genuine conversations. This stiltedness makes it harder to fully invest in the family’s dynamics, which are already underwritten. The film hints at tension between Isaac and Jenna, as well as Benjamin’s struggle to find his place in the world, but these threads never feel fully explored. The family drama, which should be the emotional backbone of the story, ends up feeling secondary to the film’s broader commentary on racism.
That said, A Great Divide does excel in showing how blind and pervasive racism can be. The small-town setting amplifies this, as every glance and whispered comment from the locals feels heavy with judgment. The film creates a sense of unease that builds steadily, reminding the audience of how isolating and terrifying it can be to feel unwelcome in a place you’re trying to call home.
While the film struggles with some awkward acting and uneven writing, its ambition and heart are undeniable. Jae Suh Park and Ken Jeong elevate the material, and the film’s themes are timely and necessary, even if its execution isn’t always smooth. At its core, A Great Divide is about the pain of being othered, the resilience of family, and the hope for understanding in the face of prejudice. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s one that stays with you, asking you to confront not just what the Lees experience, but also what so many families like them endure every day.For all its flaws, A Great Divide is a reminder of the power of storytelling to illuminate uncomfortable truths. It may not always hit its mark, but its message is one worth listening to.
A Great Divide is now available to watch on digital and on demand from November 26, 2024.
