Review: ‘Rental Family’ is a profound story about connection

A scene from ‘Rental Family’ courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Some cultures still attach stigma to mental health issues. This causes some people to suffer quietly or look for alternative solutions to cope. The latter is the catalyst for the company featured in Rental Family.

Phillip (Brendan Fraser) is an out-of-work, American actor living in Japan. His career is nearly non-existent until he gets a job playing “Sad American” at a funeral. Shinji (Takehiro Hira) operates Rental Family, a company that provides surrogates to help clients deal with loneliness, grief and other issues. The American has difficulty understanding the agency’s demand, but learns to appreciate the integral part they play in clients’ lives.

Talking to a professional is so commonplace in Western society, it’s difficult for an outsider to grasp the stigma that still encircles mental health issues in Japan. Companies like Rental Family (which exist in real-life) provide a uniquely valuable service as people find creative ways to deal with their issues.

A sex worker notes hers and Phillip’s jobs are similar. The comparison is not unwarranted as she’s paid to provide strangers with physical connection and he provides emotional connections. The agency employs actors because they have the skills to do the job — it’s just a series of parts. They’re giving people what they need, but it’s inevitably a two-way street. The real talent is not becoming attached.

The heartfelt performances make the movie one of the year’s best feel-good films.

Director: Hikari
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira and Mari Yamamoto