Rental Family Movie Review

While watching this movie, you’ll be unable to disagree that it has fabulous cinematography, and that its score is magical. These two elements help you buy into the story very easily. “
“Rental Family” is a moving narrative, and Brendan Fraser, who plays an actor named Phillip, was perfect for the role. All you have to do is look into his eyes, and you’re in his world.

Regrettably, Phillip’s life is full of loneliness. For him, one way to quell the sadness in his heart is to look out his window at the apartment across the street and peer into its windows, watching people live their lives. He wonders what they’re thinking before they do something. Would he do the same thing? He watches them eat, longing to dine with them.

When Phillip first moved to Japan, he appeared in a toothpaste commercial, one he’s still recognized for. This comes up at some point in the storyline, and you’ll appreciate the scene when it does. He hasn’t gotten much work since, except for playing the white guy. It doesn’t seem like it will, but he gets a gig as “sad American” with a company that rents people to those in need. He was just hired to mourn the loss of someone who just died, someone he had never met. All is well. He’s not dead! He just wanted to see what his funeral would look like.

Renting people. This is a real thing in Japan. You can rent people for someone or something you’re missing for one reason or another. Rent a family… rent a moment. The company he works for sells emotions for people who need others to play roles in their lives. Phillip is now a surrogate. One moment, he’s a friend to a young guy who needs another gamer while playing video games at home; a husband to a woman who refuses to marry; a journalist interviewing an actor who is losing his past due to missing memories; and even an absent father who shows up unannounced.

Mental illness is seldom discussed in Japan. Basically, things are best when they appear as if depression doesn’t exist. The people Phillip’s helping need someone badly. He’s happy to be there for them but hates the big lie of it all. What we finally get to is, “What about his needs?” They are great, by the way. He questions whether he should do this, but the money is good, and he’s not just sitting in his apartment alone anymore. Maybe he can help these individuals beyond what is asked of him.

AI, which is taking jobs away from many people at the moment, can’t quite do this… yet.

It can’t do for a mother, Hitomi Kawasaki, played by Shino Shinozaki, what Phillip can do for her. Hitomi has a young daughter, Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman), who is at the stage of a “family interview” to attend a prestigious school that will define her entire future. She’ll have a better chance of getting into the school if both her parents and she are one unit and happy. Mia struggles with a father figure suddenly in her life, but grows to like him… a lot. Phillip likes her also… and likes the idea of having a daughter. Maybe he has bitten off more than he can chew. Can he detach?

I highly recommend this. It’s heartwarming and gives you so much to think about. If you don’t think you’d like this dramatic of a film, don’t worry. You will, and you’ll be so happy you saw it when you do. Everyone will appreciate Phillip’s devotion to his work and to those he loves. Fraser is humble and warm, the supporting cast work with him beautifully and this is a well-structured screenplay; one I can see perhaps getting award consideration.