RENTAL FAMILY Special Screenings

Academy Award® winner Brendan Fraser is Philip, an American down on his luck and unable to find meaningful work as an actor in Tokyo, landing only bit parts in commercials and TV shows. That is, until the owner of a “rental family” agency offers him an unusual gig: serve as a stand-in for clients who need help with various challenges in their lives. Reluctant at first, Philip proves a natural; whether it be as a journalist interviewing a retired actor who longs for his glory days or as an absentee father reconnecting with his young daughter at the behest of her mother, he finds himself reenergized with purpose in his own life. However, as the bonds between Philip and his clients deepen, reality creeps in as he discovers that every role has its end. The second feature from Japanese filmmaker HIKARI (BEEF) is a tender, funny and morally complex exploration of human connection and the urge to find meaning in our lives. Fraser turns in a winning performance, imbuing his bumbling character with sincerity, humor and huge amounts of empathy, alongside an equally stellar supporting ensemble that includes Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman and Akira Emoto. –Javier Chavez