One of my top three picks from this year’s TCFF is easily Rental Family. My husband and I are hoping to finally make a trip to Japan next year, God willing, so Japan has been on my mind a lot lately. That’s why I was really looking forward to this film, directed by Hikari (whose real name is Kiyoka Miyazaki), featuring Brendan Fraser in his first leading role since he won an Oscar for The Whale.

Fraser plays Phillip, an American actor living in Tokyo, who takes a job with a “rental family” agency that provides actors to fill roles in people’s lives. This opportunity shows up just when Phillip is stuck in a rut, as his only memorable role is the mascot for a Japanese toothpaste brand. The toothpaste ad is actually really funny. However, when the owner of the rental-family agency, Shinji (Takehiro Hira), offers him a job, Phillip initially turns it down.

The basic idea – that people can be rented to act as substitute friends or family – is quite shocking to Westerners, but it’s actually a real part of Japanese culture. Phillip almost botches his first job when he suddenly gets cold feet about pretending to be someone’s husband to help her save face with her conservative family. Luckily, his coworker Aiko (Mari Yamamoto) managed to talk him into going through with it. The entire ordeal is both hilarious and heartwarming. The funny moments arise organically as we observe the incredible politeness of Japanese people, who’d keep bowing repeatedly even in the midst of chaos.

As time goes on, Phillip starts to get the hang of things and makes connections with his clients, whether it’s just being a guy’s gaming buddy or something more complicated like pretending to be a reporter interviewing the legendary screen star Kikuo Hasegawa (Akira Emoto). The toughest gig involves acting as a young girl’s estranged father for Mia Kawasaki (Shannon Gorman), who has never met her real dad. A lot of the film centers around the bond between Phillip and Mia, which really serves as the emotional heart of the story. Hira and Yamamoto deliver solid supporting performances here as well. It’s fun to see them in the same film, as they were both in AppleTV’s Monarch, though they didn’t share a scene.

The role of Phillip is perfect for Fraser, who has a certain innocence, gentleness, and a good-natured vibe, along with great comic timing, to depict the fish-out-of-water experience. His considerable height of about 6’3” gives the appearance of a bull in a china shop, which Hikari cleverly puts to great effect in a restaurant scene. Gorman is instantly adorable and seems to possess wisdom beyond her years; she’s somehow able to see through Phillip’s facade. The chemistry between the two is sweet, making their connection believable.

The movie is packed with moments of real emotion that made me tear up. Sure, these actors are playing pretend, but the effect they have on their audience is profound. This is why it’s key to witness Phillip’s struggle being a pretend husband, father, friend, and more. He effectively communicates the moral burden of being a hired family member while trying to make the most of his circumstances.

The part where Phillip and Hasegawa sneakily visit his hometown is one of the most touching scenes, executed in a gentle, loving way. Fraser’s performance is devastating here, showing that even in manufactured connections, people naturally seek out a true sense of belonging. This storyline could have easily slipped into being corny or too sentimental, but the writing by Hikari and Stephen Blahut gives it a touch of sophistication, wit, and humor, making it feel both relatable and true to life.

During this two-hour experience, it’s fun to get a glimpse into the various delights and intricacies of Japanese culture from an expat’s perspective. Hira’s character puts it astutely in the opening scene that one could reside in Tokyo for centuries and still not reveal all of its mysteries. Cinematographer Takuro Ishizaka captures the vibrant Tokyo street scenes and quieter parts of Japan, while composers Jon Thor Birgisson and Alex Somers create a score that balances poignancy and a sense of whimsy.

Seeing Rental Family makes me want to visit Japan even more. Hikari creates a memorable movie that beautifully showcases the essence of human relationships and chosen family. With the holiday season upon us, it serves as a perfect reminder that family is what we choose to make it, and often, the bonds we form with our found family can be just as powerful as those of blood relatives.

What are your thoughts on Rental Family?

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