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 RENTAL FAMILY


"Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." - Anthony Brandt.

My days became one jumbled hour after hour where time disappeared into another year, until here we are, the 1st of January 2026.  Nothing much stirred me to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, until this evening after watching RENTAL FAMILY, starring Brendan Fraser. 

Phillip Vanderploeg is a struggling actor who is selected to fill in for families as an individual with significance to the family member in need.  He is a writer, dad, mourner, not so much as a true story but reminiscent of Japanese companies serving the community by providing professional actors at events like funerals or weddings. Thereby formulating a whole new meaning to the responsibilities of a plus one.

At its core, the film celebrates the connection of the human spirit; the inherent social need that humans have to socialising, being together, in all aspects of life.  It is one of the most human films that I have seen in a long time.  It has heart, and portrays the heart that every human carries, whether it is through loss, love, compassion or desire.  

Fraser may be on his merry way to another Oscar for capturing the essence of humanity as it fumbles through to interconnectedness.  There is beauty in revelation for it opens up the world as it is meant to be, where love abounds in all its variations.  

There are so many journeys throughout the film that the characters are embroiled in, all against the backdrop of a Japan that is not so typical.  A little girl in need for a dad, to get into a top school in Japan, but also, a little girl in need of a dad.  An older man who only wants to visit his old home to dig up photos of his first love, but is not allowed to leave his home.

Realities that are average, but on further analysis, restrictive, harsh or lonely.  Hikari, also known as Mitsuyo Miyazaki, the director, challenges the viewer to consider the norm, but really what lies behind it.  Hikari's themes revolve around loneliness and connection, beautifully written alongside Stephen Blahut.  Definitely a film that at every point starts with family, but also ends with it. So soulful and human, from start to finish. 


Stella Grammenos-Dimadis








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