Directed by: Hikari – Starring: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Akira Emoto, and Shannon Mahina Gorman
A struggling, lonely American actor living in Japan for seven years takes a job that inserts him into other people’s lives.
This was an incredibly endearing film. I’m a sucker for stories about sad sacks who think their lives are stuck, only to experience a quiet emotional awakening — and Rental Family handles that transformation with real grace.
The fish-out-of-water dynamic never feels forced. The cultural contrasts are subtle. The humor is understated. The heart is enormous. There’s even a perfectly timed David Byrne needle drop that felt like it was placed there just for me.
The Japanese setting isn’t just backdrop; it breathes. It shapes the loneliness. It deepens the connection. Brendan Fraser is wonderful here — vulnerable without ever tipping into self-pity. Takehiro Hira’s arc is quietly fascinating and while not as developed as I would like, was still affecting. Akira Emoto, Mari Yamamoto, and Shannon Mahina Gorman also leave lasting impressions.
This is the kind of intimate, human film I gravitate toward — something in the vein of Little Miss Sunshine. It’s not flashy or showy. It just works — and it hit me right where it needed to.
Verdict: Excellent