Brendan Fraser’s latest film, Rental Family, has prompted the Oscar-winning actor to confront his long-standing feelings of insecurity. During a question-and-answer session in London following a screening, Fraser described the project as a pivotal moment in his journey towards self-acceptance.
“I struggle with insecurity, and to make this film reminded me that I’m good enough, and I always was all along,” Fraser remarked. “Why am I giving myself such a hard time? It’s there.” His candid comments emerged at the conclusion of an emotional discussion regarding the film’s exploration of themes such as isolation, identity, and belonging.
Exploring Identity Through Film
In Rental Family, Fraser portrays Philip Vanderplug, an outsider in Tokyo, who becomes involved in Japan’s unique “rental family” industry. This sector allows individuals to hire actors to play the roles of family members or companions for various occasions. The film is co-written and directed by Hikari, who shared that the concept arose from an unexpected discovery during the pandemic.
“My co-writer Stephen Blahut was randomly looking for a job in Tokyo, and he found a job such as rental family. I’m Japanese. I know nothing about the rental family business,” Hikari explained. She noted that the pandemic created a sense of distance that influenced their storytelling, adding, “There’s not really much of a connection in between.”
Takehiro Kira, who plays a workaholic struggling with loneliness in the film, drew inspiration from his personal experiences. “I went to the States when I was 15, and I spent many days, and Christmas nights, sitting all by myself in the room, like Philip was sitting on the bed. When I saw the film for the first time, that was a scene that made me cry,” Kira stated.
Actress Mari Yamamoto also shared how her childhood transitions between Japan and the UK shaped her performance. “I moved to the U.K. from Japan when I was 5 and spent three years there, and then became completely bilingual. I thought I was British, and then went back to Japan again, and I found myself still apologetic,” she reflected. Yamamoto emphasized the universal desire for connection and the importance of feeling useful to others.
Recognizing New Talent and Reflecting on Loneliness
Fraser took the opportunity to commend his young co-star, Shannon Gorman, describing her as “a genuine article” despite her debut film role. He praised her ability to convey deep emotions, stating, “She has an ability to express herself with an emotional bandwidth that is astonishing.”
Veteran Japanese actor Akira Emoto, who portrays an elderly man grappling with memory loss and mortality, articulated the film’s deeper themes through a translator. He highlighted the notion of finding “richness in life” even in solitude, suggesting that “loneliness, is it something bad? I believe it’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s not necessarily a negative thing.”
The production faced delays due to the pandemic and industry strikes, ultimately taking five years to complete before filming could commence in Tokyo. Rental Family continues its international festival run throughout autumn, offering audiences a poignant look at the complexities of human connection and self-acceptance.
