Rental Family tells a story of joy. It’s about finding it, keeping it, and spreading it. It’s a feel-good movie in the sense that it’s delightful to watch but also has a wholesome spirit. I saw an early screening at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival. I didn’t watch it with many (or any) expectations, but quickly found myself charmed.
The movie follows Phillip (Brendan Fraser), an American actor living in Japan, who gets an unexpected acting gig. This leads to him working as part of a rental family service. This company sends its workers to act as stand-in roles for clients. Rental Family is a found family movie, but it also explores ideas about mental health and community.
