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Film reviews

Rental Family Review

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From the mind of director Hikari comes a mesmerizing and diverse portrait where some unique connections are found in her latest film, Rental Family. The purpose here focuses on a character in a struggling career who decides to take a different path—one that requires having a heart. Brendan Fraser delivers one of the best performances of 2025, and ultimately one of the best of his career. Rental Family is a film that blends diversity and human connection to form parallel values of context that come out of hiding. 

Fraser plays Philip Vanderploeg, an actor for commercials, who finds himself not doing so great. His gigs are in Tokyo. His new opportunity is to take a job with an agency titled “rental family.” The purpose of it is to fill in roles for strangers. For example, if one is missing a father, one fulfills that role in the family. That is the role that Philip ends up filling. He does so for a young girl named Mia, played by Shannon Gorman. Moving forward, Philip tries to fill the father role, and as hard as it is, he finds himself in the stage of his life where the position becomes rewarding and meaningful in this role of a “stranger.”

Rental Family is mind-boggling in its ability to create curiosity for its audiences to wonder what it would be like to have someone stand in for a role in a family. It leads to many questions. What dynamics would it twist? What conversations would it confuse? How would the moving parts feel? A lot of those questions come and go in the film’s writing, but at the same time, empathy weaves throughout with a sense of style in Rental Family. The Tokyo setting brings in a lot of value and culture through the eyes of Philip and Mia amid the narrative.

A lot of thoughts revolving around the idea of a fake family come to mind when watching Rental Family. The subject of routine came around a lot for me, because the agency finds itself in hurdles with others outside of Philip’s life doing this process as well. It proves that not everyone has it right and that having a family that’s “rented” does not easily find common ground. It is, however, a door for connection and new beginnings to evolve.

There is the motion of a weaving narrative that is enchanting, while also questionable. However, Fraser is the savior of the film. He plays the one that works to have a heart, while also dealing with the realities of life in Tokyo. Being in a father role that he had not planned for is not easy, but his heart grows. The film will inspire, as Rental Family is unique, diverse, and brilliant. Also, it was quite amazing. I love how there is a side of being included while also trying to deal with a strange, newreality. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Rental Family.

Film reviews

Wicked: For Good Review

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Wicked: For Good is an enchanting ride that is a continuation of the first film which was released last year. There are many special musical moments that fans will love. This time, however, there is a lot more exploration into The Wizard of Oz territory. The two witches are in their own spaces yet with a strong friendship that the songs highlight. Wicked: For Good brings wonderful glory to the big screen this holiday season. Director Jon. M Chu continues to bring the colors of the rainbow for audiences around the world. 

In the second installment, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) have been labeled with new identities. Elphabais referred to as the “Wicked Witch of the West” and Glinda has the title of, “Glinda the Good.” The friendship vibes between Elphaba and Glinda are still woven into the story, but the land of OZ finds itself in chaos. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) only cares about his public image, and he may not be the caring man he says he is. Meanwhile, power struggles are occurring between the witches while the land of Oz finds itself filled with many fanciful creatures.

In this film, audiences are introduced to more Munchkins, a Tin Man, and many animals. All sorts of things are set in motion in Wicked: For Good. The battle between friendship and power comes with choices. Overall, the territory is not easy to navigate. Wicked: For Good, is one of the most fascinating films of 2025. It dazzles with splendid scenes and looks closely at how hard it can be when friendship falls. I also felt the musical numbers went a step above in Wicked: For Good.

The song that captured my attention and warmed my heart most was For Good. This touching and memorable song reminded me of how people and lives change, but above all there is always good in human beings. When this number was performed, it created moving moments that brought back many vivid theatrical memories. It also reminded me of the incredible stage version of Wicked. Wicked: For Good took me on a ride to new horizons. The outstanding performances of Erivo and Grande will mesmerize audiences in this continued franchise.

The land of Oz remains a place of, but its turmoil is where the conflict lies. It provides the foundation and holds the key to magical musical moments. This is especially the case when trust is on the line, and the audience is trying to determine good vs. bad. Deep-down, the bad side is fueled by the various moving parts. I love Wicked: For Good because it reminded me how there is still time to change. Even when challenges in life seem unsolvable, we can remember the goodness in the people we are lucky to have or have had in our lives. For Elphaba and Glinda, they need to remember where it all began for them as friends. Moving forward, they must decide where their friendship stands.Find out in Wicked: For Good. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Peter Hujar’s Day Review

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This is an authentic film that pays attention to details. It finds its realism and stays on point. Directed by Ira Sachs, this is a true story that captures every essential aspect of someone telling a story. Peter Hujar’s Day plays out on an intriguing landscape. The cinematography has lighting that fuels the story with rapidly changing structures. It takes viewers on a deep and vivid journey. Overall, Peter Hujar’s Day is purely spectacular thanks to a mesmerizing performance by Ben Whishaw, who wasdestined to play Peter Hujar. It is a film about a long conversation between Peter Hujar and Linda Rosenkrantz in 1974. Rachel Hall plays Linda Rosenkrantz.  New York in the 1970s provides the perfect backdrop for a discussion that goes deep. The spiral of words in this story about the life of Hujar is spellbinding.

The film begins with Linda doing the interview with Peter on a cassette recorder. In the era before digital recording, Peter and Linda have tea and eat meals between takes. Peter continues to go deep about his many moments taking photographs of different people. It is an enlightening experience that makes audiences wonder how artists find their narrative. At the same time, it makes viewers wonder how art is created in an otherwise introverted life. Throughout Peter Hujar’s Day, the story prompted a variety of interconnected thoughts. The performances of Whishaw and Hall are the epitome of grandeur. 

I have had the opportunity to see both Whishaw and Hall in person. I saw Whishaw on stage in London in Waiting for Godotin 2024. I saw Hall on the Red Carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for The BFG in 2016. Watching them both in Peter Hujar’s Day felt natural, because they both display humanistic characteristics in their acting while portraying lead roles in this type of film. Peter Hujar’s Day is a one-of-a-kind movie. Hall is amazing playing the journalist seeking every deep word for her story. Whishaw is wonderful playing the photographer trying to be an open book while telling his story.

Peter Hujar’s Day has the New York art scene written into it right below the surface. The streets and city lights are the backdrop of Peter’s story. As the conversation goes forward, the moments of darkness come in and out of Peter’s mind. The writing of Peter Hujar’s Day carries a narrative that helps audiences appreciate how human minds can weave emotionally up and down, especially when so much energy is given to a craft, and nothing comes of it. Peter Hujar’s Day is a joyful wonder of amazement and a real treasure. It is a little too short though. There could have been more to the story, and the film felt a bit incomplete since it only runs for about seventy-six minutes. Overall, however, that timing is made up for by its artistic brilliance. Three out of four stars.