"Rental Family: Struggling American actor Phillip sees his TV and film gigs in Japan dry up so he turns to a different kind of performing job working at a thriving business where customers hire someone to perform a specific role. The assignments range from being a mourner, a friend, a groom, the other lover and, in one case, a father figure to a girl named Mia whose stressed-out mom needs a husband to increase her odds of getting into a prestigious school."
"Hikari's second feature her first being the wonderful 37 Seconds ostensibly centers on the evolving relationship between Phillip (Brendan Fraser, melting hearts in such an effortless way) and Mia (Shannon Gorman), but the sweet but restrained screenplay co-written with Stephen Blahut explores other relationships. One subplot involves a veteran actor (Akira Emoto) who believes Phillip is a journalist. But it is Phillip's work family his workaholic boss (the accomplished Takehiro Hira of Shogun) and a wary, weary coworker (a terrific Mari Yamamoto) who add the most to the film."
Rental Family follows struggling American actor Phillip, whose TV and film gigs in Japan dry up and who begins working for a thriving business that hires performers to play specific roles. Assignments include mourners, friends, grooms, lovers and a father figure for Mia, a girl whose stressed-out mother hires a husband to improve her odds of getting into a prestigious school. Hikari’s sweet, restrained screenplay connects multiple subplots, including a veteran actor who mistakes Phillip for a journalist and a poignant work-family dynamic with a workaholic boss and a wary coworker. The film emphasizes community and connection and opens Nov. 21. A Man on the Inside Season 2 continues Michael Schur’s charming, cozy mystery style with minimal violence.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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