The Coexistence of Nostalgia and Discomfort: What Did "Western-Oriented" Dramas Set in Japan Overlook?

The Coexistence of Nostalgia and Discomfort: What Did "Western-Oriented" Dramas Set in Japan Overlook?

Why Does a "Rental Family" Become a Story?

Renting family or friends—just the phrase evokes a simultaneous sense of transgression and urgency. The film 'Rental Family' runs precisely on this contradiction. Set in modern Tokyo, the protagonist Phil is an American actor who has lost both his career and purpose in life, and has "settled" in Japan. One day, he is hired by a "rental family" agency. His job is to offer the "relationships" that clients need through acting—be it someone to cry at a funeral, a wedding guest, or a father figure.


This setting resonates not just because it's unusual. In reality, there are professional stand-in services offering substitutes for friends, family, colleagues, and lovers, and this has been discussed as a business in Japan since the early 1990s.

 
Thus, while the film is complete fiction, it stands on the infrastructure of real-world loneliness.


Japan as Beautiful as a Postcard, But "Depth" Is Another Matter

A review by BusinessWorld Online captures the film's precarious balance of carrying both "heartwarming human relationships" and "explanations of Japanese culture," resulting in both being somewhat half-baked. The urban lights of Tokyo, the vibrancy of festivals, the tranquility of temples, the cherry blossoms in schoolyards, and the forgotten countryside greenery—the locations are abundant, transporting the audience like a travelogue or a series of postcards. Yet, "more scenery does not equal deeper culture." The review expresses dissatisfaction with this.


This "postcard feel" is both a charm and a weakness of the work. While the audience is bathed in "the atmosphere of Tokyo as a city," the background of why people need stand-ins—such as appearances, shame, norms, and work views—passes by without being fully explored. As a result, a gentle touch remains, but the sharpness of the questions dulls.


The "Kindness" of Protagonist Phil Holds the Film Together

At the heart of the film is Brendan Fraser's affability. BusinessWorld describes Phil as "awkward yet likable," and it's Fraser's "big heart" that supports the audience's empathy.

 
Other media also note that he serves as the "emotional compass" that holds the film together.


However, there's a pitfall here. The kinder Phil is, the more ethically precarious his job becomes. Acting as a father to a child, filling the void of someone lost with "performance," entering the center of a client's life—the stronger the kindness, the greater the cost of the lie.


The "Lawsuit Galore" Issue and the "Convenience" of the Story

BusinessWorld's review is scathing in pointing out that "even if the service exists, many of the events in the film are fictionalized, making the inconsistencies stand out." Furthermore, it critiques the film for having too many deceptions without exploring the resulting responsibilities or consequences, from a legal standpoint.


This is where audience preferences split in half.

  • "Movies are allegories, so emotional endpoints matter more than reality."

  • "Even in allegories, if lies touch on the reality that they hurt people, the depiction of consequences is necessary."


The Guardian's critique leans toward the latter, stating that "it flows too much towards making you cry pleasantly, leaving the fundamental discomfort and weight of responsibility vague."


Yet There Are Moments That "Work"—The Magic of Music and Direction

Despite its weaknesses, a film can sometimes win with "moments." BusinessWorld praises the score by Jónsi (Sigur Rós) and Alex Somers, which carries the overall mood of the story.

 
It is also officially available as a soundtrack, suggesting that the soundscape is being promoted as a pillar of the work.

Additionally, in an ABC interview, it is mentioned that director Hikari and Fraser crafted the film's tone through long conversations, with the core message of the film being "you are enough."

 
This "affirmation" directly hits the audience's tear ducts. That's why some people are willing to overlook the logical holes.


The "Western Perspective" of Depicting Japan—Both a Compliment and a Thorn

The film is an American production by Searchlight, and BusinessWorld notes that "a straightforward narrative may have been required."

 
In a Time article, director Hikari herself discusses the intention of exploring "how it looks to place a 'token white person' in Japan."
Thus, the film is designed to construct cross-cultural friction from an "external perspective."


While this design makes it accessible to overseas audiences, it also raises suspicions about whether Japan is being used as a "convenient stage prop." BusinessWorld harshly expresses that it seems to offer basic and clichéd lessons so that audiences can leave feeling "a little bit Japanese."
For those it resonates with, it's "gentle tourism," but for those it doesn't, it appears as "superficial Japan."


Reactions on Social Media: Those Saved by Sweetness, Those Disenchanted by It

The atmosphere on social media (film SNS/boards) after the release is divided between "warmth" and "discomfort," much like the film itself.

1) The "Cried, Laughed, Healed" Camp

On the film SNS Letterboxd, reactions highlight the appeal of the lead's personality, with comments like "laughed so much my cheeks hurt," "cried and laughed," and "want Fraser as a game partner."
In Reddit discussions, there are also voices appreciating the film's "goodwill," saying "it's nice that it's not cynical" and "makes you believe in the power of human connection."


For this group, 'Rental Family' is a device that transforms heavy themes into "salvation." The harsher reality is, the more the film's kindness resonates.


2) The "Too Sweet, Too Convenient" Camp

On the other hand, there are also cold reactions on social media, such as "sappy," "ambiguous ethics of the setting," and "made for Western audiences." On Reddit, comments reflect a lukewarm sentiment like "audience-friendly but lacks acclaim" and "likely to be forgotten in award races."

 
These sentiments resonate with the critical media's harsh tone, which also points out the film's weaknesses, like the "irresponsibility of the fictional story."


3) The "Interesting Setting, But Needs More Depth" Camp

The largest group seems to be in the middle, with reactions like "it was good, but it could have gone deeper." This aligns with BusinessWorld's critique of the "lack of depth," which the audience intuitively senses.

 
This group does not deny the film. Rather, they believe in the potential of the setting, which is why they feel a sense of missed opportunity.


So, How Should We Perceive This Film?

'Rental Family' stands between the reality of presenting modern loneliness as a "service" and the "narrative salvation" offered by the film.

  • Reality: Stand-ins are convenient, but when discovered, they hurt people.

  • Narrative: Despite the potential for hurt, people still need people.


The Guardian criticizes the film for treating the pain of the former too lightly.

BusinessWorld is concerned about piling up "beautiful scenes" without delving into the cultural depths.
Time highlights the background that this industry has expanded in response to a "lack of connection."


Therefore, the audience is not only asked whether "Japanese-ness was depicted," but also whether "this sweetness is necessary for their own loneliness."
If you currently wish for someone to "look back at your existence," this film will resonate.
If you are sensitive to the responsibilities brought by lies, this film will be troubling.


It is because both happen simultaneously that 'Rental Family' continues to be discussed, despite the divided opinions.


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