Rental Family was a sensitive movie about how Japan’s rental family businesses actually help their clients. There are some cautionary tales too but it’s mostly positive. It really impacts Phillip (Brendan Fraser) being the performer to play someone’s groom, father or whatever the scenario.
Seeing Japan in 4K, you’re on the streets with Fraser and overlooking the city from his window. The train over the river is stunning from sunrise to midnight. A street festival is also packed with visual festivities. Director Hasegawa (Akira Emoto) lives on a rural estate showing a more lush side of Japan. For the client who takes Brian to a strip club, her show is bathed in lavender light.
Deleted scenes show more jobs Phillip took, including a Christopher Columbus movie and filming the toothpaste commercial. At a crying session, his only job is to hand the client a handkerchief. It’s more about Phillip learning about the session.
We get to know Aiko (Mari Yamamoto) a little bit more too. Her first client is a touching story but another scene reveals some trauma.
A 10 min featurette has Hikari and cast talking about the real rental phenomenon and their roles. It also gets technical and aesthetic.