Family Romance, LLC 2020

In the intriguing drama of Family Romance, we are introduced to Yuichi Ishii, the heart and soul behind a unique rental service that fills voids in people’s lives by providing actors to play roles such as husbands, friends, and other essential social figures. This venture, while seemingly unconventional, seeks to address the emotional struggles many face, giving them a semblance of connection and comfort.

At the film’s beginning, Yuichi is tasked with an emotional role; he pretends to be the father of 12-year-old Mahiro. Mahiro, grappling with the absence of any real memories of her father, finds herself unsure and distant from Yuichi initially. However, as time passes and Yuichi invests effort into getting to know her, Mahiro gradually opens up, allowing him to forge a bond that becomes more genuine. His presence brings her a sense of security she has longed for, while he simultaneously aims to protect her cherished secrets and advocate for her autonomy.

Throughout the course of their interactions, we witness Yuichi juggling his professional commitments with his emerging personal relationship with Mahiro. His willingness to engage with clients without judgment showcases a profound understanding of their unique situations. In a poignant exploration of the blurred lines between performance and reality, he visits a hotel where robots perform mundane tasks, prompting him to reflect on his life’s intricacies. He even confides in a friend about his bizarre dreams involving actors performing harakiri, raising questions about authenticity and identity.

As their story unfolds, Yuichi finds himself accompanying Mahiro’s mother on a visit to an oracle, where she expresses gratitude for his friendship. This statement, however, brings about a wave of discomfort for Yuichi, pushing him to confront the deeper implications of their arrangement. His subsequent exploration into the darker aspects of life leads him to a funeral home, where he inquires about hiring actors for a somber but necessary service.

The emotional stakes escalate when Mahiro reveals to Yuichi her feelings of affection towards him and her desire to build weekends of shared experiences as a father-daughter duo. Faced with this new revelation, Yuichi understands that their contract has become too complicated and must come to an end. Despite Mahiro’s mother’s invitation for him to move in, Yuichi declines, citing that they must disengage, all while suggesting she consider renting a funeral for her imaginary father — a heartbreaking metaphor for the relationships they have cultivated.

In a poignant scene towards the close of the film, Yuichi seeks solace with a friend, who reassures him that the services of Family Romance are valuable and impactful. Nevertheless, doubt lingers in Yuichi’s mind as he reflects on his own familial ties and the potential of them being mere performances, filled with deceitful emotions.

The film culminates with Yuichi returning to his residence, where the echoes of chatter and the sight of children’s hands pressing against the frosted glass ignite a profound sense of longing and trepidation within him. Opting to retreat into the shadows, he sits next to the door, contemplating the nature of his connections and the haunting solitude that follows him, leaving the viewer to ponder the complexities of human relationships in a world where authenticity often blurs with performance.