Alien at the Movies

Rental Family

Philip (Brandon Fraiser) is an American actor living in Japan for the past 7 years. He is a stranger in a strange land. He originally found quirky fame doing a Japanese toothpaste commercial but these days he struggles to find real acting jobs. One day, he is offered an opportunity at Family Rental Inc. to play stand-in roles for strangers. He becomes their token white male character. He is reluctant at first. He gets hired to be a groom for a bride with a secret, a journalist interviewing an aging actor with oncoming dementia, & an estranged father to a young daughter. This is a little movie with a big heart. Philip starts to build strong emotional bonds with those he is supposed to be helping, but knowing eventually he must sever their bond & disappear from their lives. He starts to question if his pretend lie will do more harm than good. Is this agency crossing the line with their charades? This comedy/drama is a  bittersweet story.about the search for purpose, human connection, fulfillment, & happiness.

Alien gives it 3 “pinky swear & kidnaping” stars out of 4.