Rental Family Review: Brendan Fraser’s Flawless Family Dramedy Might Earn Him a Second Oscar

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This film could be a masterpiece. Written and directed by Hikari, who previously worked on the show Beef, it stars Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser as Phillip Vandarploeug, an American actor down on his luck and living in Japan. The movie immediately grabs your attention with a captivating opening sequence showing Philip navigating daily life in Japan – riding the subway and going to auditions.

The movie starts with a simple idea, but becomes much more impactful when viewers learn it’s based on a real practice in Japan – renting people for companionship. Beyond that unique concept, the film dives into relatable and universal themes. We follow Phillip’s emotional journey as he has moments of realization that will likely make the audience reflect on their own lives.

Brendan Fraser Is the Foundation of Rental Family

Before 2022, Brendan Fraser was most famous for The Mummy movies. But he’s recently experienced a major career resurgence, highlighted by his 2023 Oscar win for The Whale. Rental Family feels like a natural step in this new phase of his career, showcasing a truly unique performance. Fraser plays an unconventional hero – an American who feels like an outsider, yet still manages to connect with and reveal the shared humanity of people from all cultures.

Viewers looking for comparisons will notice a similarity between Brendan Fraser in Rental Family and Bill Murray’s performance. Fraser, like Murray, manages to be the focal point while letting other actors enrich the story, and both appear to be subtly detached. However, the reason for this detachment differs. Murray played a well-known figure deliberately acting out of sync, while Fraser’s character is trying to fit into Japanese culture, but struggles with a disconnect between his professional persona and personal identity.

Phillip delivers a subtle and natural performance, seamlessly blending into his role in Rental Family – many viewers might not even recognize it is a performance. He seems comfortable and confident in his career, choosing projects with meaningful stories. While he’s gaining attention for an upcoming film with Rachel Weisz, Rental Family will undoubtedly solidify his status as a leading actor.

Asian Cinema Legend Takehiro Mira Offers Solid Support

Takehiro Hira is a crucial part of Rental Family, helping viewers understand the story and its cultural context. While he’s known internationally for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, his performance is just as impactful as Brendan Fraser’s. His character, Shinji, is incredibly layered, with a depth that would be difficult to portray in Western films. Much of the character’s meaning comes from Japanese customs and societal norms, so simply labeling Rental Family as a culture clash comedy doesn’t fully capture its richness.

The story delves into complex moral questions that are central to Shinji’s development, requiring an actor who can convincingly portray his inner conflicts. Hira’s subtle and understated performance is key to the story’s surprising emotional impact. Furthermore, his skill makes the comedic moments, even when they become absurd, much more effective for viewers, especially as the situation spirals out of control.

Is Shannon Gorman the Heart of Rental Family?

Shannon Gorman, a new face in film, delivers a strong performance, reminiscent of Dakota Fanning’s early work. Her portrayal of Mia feels genuine and will quickly connect with viewers, providing the film’s emotional center alongside Brendan Fraser. Their scenes together are natural, seamless, and range from tender to intense. What makes Gorman particularly impressive is her ability to convey complex emotions authentically, avoiding predictable tropes, especially given the improvisational feel of many of her scenes.

The film delves into ideas about right and wrong, and how we sometimes willingly believe things even when there’s no proof. For some, like the characters in Rental Family, these accepted falsehoods can actually be comforting. It also makes viewers think about the ethics of earning a living by pretending, especially when it’s done to avoid getting emotionally involved.

This story explores the complicated ethics of being paid to mislead or simply provide companionship. It’s a film that will challenge viewers expecting a lighthearted comedy, revealing the serious consequences of these actions. That underlying sadness is central to the film’s exploration of identity, and it’s a theme that will likely stay with audiences and spark conversation long after the credits roll.

Hikari Gets to the Heart of the Human Condition

Hikari and Stephen Blahut’s film, Rental Family, is a remarkably original and insightful work. It tells a story about loneliness and what it means to be human, offering a hopeful perspective without relying on tired tropes. The film honestly portrays difficult behaviors, yet still manages to find a sense of optimism. Rental Family shows how random and unpredictable human connections can be, not to devalue them, but simply to present them as they are.

The documentary Rental Family shows a surprising world where pretending is normal, and people can actually hire actors to act like family. These ‘rental’ relatives fill emotional voids, offer a surface-level connection, or even bond with children – all for a price. It’s essentially a side job in the gig economy where emotions are traded like money, and genuine connection comes at a premium. This practice strangely mirrors other, more widespread situations where appearances are valued over authenticity, and some are easily led to believe the facade is real.

Despite a generally pessimistic outlook, Phillip finds fulfillment by stepping into the roles of fictional characters. This feels like his own quiet plea for connection, and a better option than facing a lonely home life. That’s what makes Rental Family truly special for those who give it a chance. The movie is open to interpretation, offering both clarity and mystery, and ultimately, it can mean whatever the viewer needs it to.

This film offers a fresh experience with each viewing. Like Christopher Nolan’s often-overlooked masterpiece, Memento, it encourages multiple interpretations and continues to resonate even years later. Hikari’s newest work skillfully connects to the core idea of identity.

Is There Another Oscar in the Cards for Brendan Fraser?

Whether Brendan Fraser should win another Oscar isn’t really the point. These awards aren’t always about a single performance; they often recognize an actor’s entire career. Trying to figure out exactly what would make the Academy voters choose him is impossible, and debating it doesn’t seem worthwhile. Still, because The Whale is such a strong film and his performance is so remarkable, it’s understandable that people are discussing his chances.

The film Rental Family doesn’t quite reach its full potential because it doesn’t fully explore the relationships between its characters.

The show leaves viewers wondering about the characters’ personal lives, and a bit more detail in that area would have been welcome. However, Phillip is a well-developed character, and the writers clearly put a lot of effort into making him feel real. Fraser’s performance then brings that depth to life on screen.

Without the actor’s realistic and understated performance, Rental Family wouldn’t be very engaging. He portrays a quiet vulnerability that feels genuine without being overly dramatic, which anchors the film. His character, Phillip, is curious, sincere, and eager to learn about a new country, even though it remains mysterious to him. These qualities aren’t shown through grand displays of emotion or extensive dialogue; instead, they emerge from the actor’s portrayal of innocence and genuine curiosity. His ability to connect with the culture and form honest relationships embodies the core themes of Rental Family. This performance elevates the film, suggesting it has the potential to become a modern classic.

Rental Family is now in theaters.

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2025-11-22 04:46