Brendan Fraser and Director Hikari Discuss 'Rental Family'

The Premise of Rental Family

• 🎭 Brendan Fraser stars as Philip, a struggling American actor living in Japan for seven years, who takes a job with an agency that hires actors to play roles in clients' lives.
• 🤝 The agency fills gaps by providing actors for various relationships, such as friends for parties, or even surrogate family members, to help clients connect with what's missing.
• 🇯🇵 This unique business exists in Japan due to the stigma surrounding mental health, leading people to seek alternative solutions.

The Inspiration and Themes

• 🔍 Director Hikari and co-writer Steven researched the rental agency concept, discovering it stemmed from a desire to combat loneliness in Japanese society, especially during the pandemic.
• 💡 The film explores the line between acting and lying, suggesting that even in make-believe, there's often a kernel of truth.
• 💔 Philip's journey involves moving beyond the pretense of acting to invest in real relationships, confronting the nuances of human connection.

Philip's Character Arc

• 🎬 Philip's apartment is depicted as that of a struggling actor, with cheesy headshots and remnants of past fame, highlighting his desperation and initial lack of direction.
• 🏠 His initial reluctance to take on roles, like pretending to be married at a wedding, stems from the profound impact of investing in someone's life.
• 🗣️ The term "Gajin" (foreigner/outsider) is explored, with Aiko using it harshly, but Philip's desire to understand signifies his commitment to integrating into Japanese culture.

Deeper Meanings and Connections

• 👨‍👧 Philip experiences a paternal awakening, particularly through his relationship with Kikuo, an aging actor, and later by becoming a father figure to a young girl.
• 💖 The film highlights that even in a city like Tokyo, profound loneliness can exist, and the movie serves as a "love letter to loneliness."
• 🤝 The core message is that connection and belonging are fundamental human needs, and a "found family" can be as vital as biological family.

Overcoming Loneliness

• 🚶‍♀️ The film suggests that taking the first step—reaching out, making a phone call, or simply walking outside—is crucial to overcoming loneliness.
• ❤️ By approaching interactions with generosity, kindness, and an open heart, connections can be found anywhere.
• ✨ The movie aims to convey that we are all here for each other, and connection is possible if we make the effort.