Brendan Fraser Shines in 'Rental Family'

Brendan Fraser has given a masterful performance in his latest film, 'Rental Family'. In his first leading role since 'The Whale', Fraser portrays an American actor residing in Tokyo who finds an unconventional method to carry on with his acting career. The film strikes a deft balance between heart and humor, having premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and set for general release in November.

In the storyline, Fraser plays Philip, an actor struggling to find work after seven years in Tokyo. Reduced to accepting any job, he takes on a role at the 'Rental Family' agency, which provides actors for peculiar role-play situations. The savvy narrative explores the extent to which all humans engage in role-play throughout their lives, invoking both humor and deep emotional impact.

Fraser's character, Philip, faces several professional and emotional challenges as he executes his responsibilities at the 'Rental Family' agency. His character's warm relationship with an 11-year old girl, Mia, who truly believes Philip is her long-lost father, lends a poignant touch to the storyline.

Cleverly directed by Japanese filmmaker Hikari, 'Rental Family' subtly showcases the contrasts and loneliness of Tokyo's sprawling cityscape. Fraser's performance is excellently bolstered by the cast of supporting actors, including Mari Yamamoto, Philip's coworker in the film. Fraser's evocative depiction adds crucial depth to the movie.

The movie, while exploring complex emotions and relationships, asks some challenging questions, such as the one posed by Mia, "Why do adults always lie?". 'Rental Family' provides enchanting and thoughtful insights into these queries, setting it apart as a movie with both humor and profound emotional depth.