Family Is What You Make It: ‘Rental Family’ Review

Not every family shares a genetic connection. Some families are cobbled together from the people we find along the way—friends with shared visions and interests. Hikari’s brilliant Brendan Fraser-led ‘Rental Family’ is an exploration of that exact dynamic. It’s tender and loving, heartbreaking and life-affirming. ‘Rental Family’ has exceeded every expectation that I had and more. I genuinely believe that I felt every emotion watching this film. ‘Rental Family’ is a poignant exploration of what it means to find oneself, to be loved, and to form a family. It will bring you genuine joy.

Family Life

Phillip Vandarpleog (Brendan Fraser) is a struggling actor living in Japan. Very much isolated, he takes odd acting jobs to make ends meet, going from audition to audition. Upon receiving a job at Rental Family, Phillip finds himself acting in people’s real lives. Coming into contact with various people as he plays his roles, Phillip begins to question what his part truly is.

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Hikari’s attention to detail and truly understanding the story the film was trying to tell created what is simply one of the most joyous experiences in a theater I have had in quite some time. It’s beautifully shot and tonally appropriate. ‘Rental Family’ is really bright. It helps build this sense of hope. A sense that there’s going to be sadness along the way, but that sadness will be rewarded with a valuable payoff.

The film was engaging. Keeping my attention throughout, I craved resolution for the web of characters Hikari masterfully weaved. I needed to know that all of them were going to be ok in the end. That kind of care for characters that the audience spends less than two hours with is a testament to the craftsmanship Hikari has shown with his film. ‘Rental Family’ will give you the introspection you’ve been looking for and the new lease on life that we all need from time to time.

Live, Laugh, Love

‘Rental Family’ can hit the emotional high points due to an exemplary cast. Headlined by the great Brendan Fraser, who has had an incredible renaissance as of late, he dives right into the role of Phillip, a lonely actor trying to find his place in the world. Fraser nails the feeling of being lost and lonely. He’s always been adept at playing quirky and out-of-place characters. That ability works well in his favor when playing a character who himself gets cast as the ‘token white guy.’

The true strength of the ‘Rental Family’ cast comes in the form of its youngest and oldest members. Shannon Gorman is so stinking charming. The audience feels her loss and sense of betrayal because at such a young age, she is just that good. Akira Emoto brings with his character’s reflection a sense of wisdom to the screen. Indeed, in a film about family and finding oneself, what makes the film most beautiful is the family that made it.

Final Thoughts

Hikari’s ‘Rental Family’ is an emotional rollercoaster that anyone with a heart would run to be first in line on. It’s a beautiful exploration of what it means to be part of a family, what it means to find themself, and, most importantly, what it means to find love in both. ‘Rental Family’ takes the audience on a life affirming journey that stays with them long after the credits have rolled. It is the definition of ‘Must See.’

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