Naomi Weisman is a Canadian-Australian and mother of three who loves to Ramble with her dog, cook for family and friends, and laugh whenever possible.
There are films that catch your attention because of their premise—and then there are films that quietly tap into your own lived experience. Rental Family did exactly that for me.
I lived in Tokyo many years ago, in the 1990s. I was a street vendor and an English teacher, and through those roles, I met an extraordinary range of people—warm, curious, reserved, funny, and unforgettable. What stays with me most from that time is how different I felt. Not in an unkind way, but in a very particular way. I was treated as a beloved oddity, a curiosity. I was one of only a handful of gaijin (foreigners) I knew, and that sense of being both welcomed and set apart left a lasting impression.
So when I saw that Brendan Fraser was starring in a film set in Tokyo, I was immediately in.
Fraser has a quiet, understated way of conveying character. He doesn’t push emotion toward the viewer; instead, he allows it to surface gently, often in stillness. The film itself moves slowly, but with intention. Its pace is relaxed and unforced, giving the story room to breathe—and inviting the audience to settle into it rather than rush through it.
What I found especially compelling was meeting the people his character works for and alongside, and being introduced to the unusual business at the heart of the film. I won’t give too much away, but it did leave me wondering whether a business like this could—or would—ever be needed in North America.
The performances across the main cast are strong, but the emotional centre of the film belongs to the young girl, played by Shannon Mahina Gorman. Her performance is extraordinary—natural, restrained, and deeply affecting. There is a quiet wisdom in her presence that anchors the story in a way that feels entirely authentic.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nomi’s Verdict:
A gentle, thoughtful film that unfolds with care and emotional honesty. At one point, it moved me to tears—not through manipulation or melodrama, but through its simple, human truth. Rental Family lingers long after the credits roll, reminding us how connection can take many forms, and how even the quietest stories can leave the deepest mark.
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