STORYLINE: Set in modern-day Tokyo, “Rental Family” follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.(IMDb) 

    The filmography of Brendan Fraser is like a roller coaster, it is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. There are comedies (Encino Man 1992) and dramas (Crash 2005, Gods and Monsters 1998).  One can not forget the action packed The Mummy franchise or his work in family films such as 1997’s George of the Jungle.  He won the Oscar for his performance in 2022’s The Whale.  It’s 2025 and his latest film, Rental Family, has made its way to theaters. 

    There is a fine line to balance in being a sentimental movie (Remains of the Day, 1993), an overbearing emotional movie (Extraordinary Measures, 2010), and something just cheesy and fun (the Downton Abbey films).  Rental Family, with its predictable premise,  aims to be a sentimental movie, landing just shy of being overly emotional.  There are times when the music swells, becoming overwhelming, telling me how to feel in the given moment.  As always, I am annoyed by this. I keep saying let the talent tell the story, as it unfolds  naturally.  It is for this reason, outside of musicals, the music is my least favorite part of movies. However, in Rental Family these moments are scarcer then in similar films.

   Sprinkled throughout the film were moments of the Japanese culture that fascinated me. I do not know much about this culture, and that was the appeal of these moments.  Those moments were a pleasant surprise.

    Rental Family was a film that was a tad overly sentimental, with moments of fascination of a different culture. 

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!