🎬 Title: Shoplifters (万引き家族)Release Year: 2018 / Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda / Runtime: 121 min

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (My Rating: 5/5)

Synopsis

A struggling family in Tokyo survives by shoplifting. When they take in a neglected young girl, their fragile bond faces new challenges, exposing hidden truths about love, survival, and society.

Review

Kore-eda masterfully blends social critique with deep humanity. The film is tender, painful, and unflinchingly real. Each performance feels authentic, especially Sakura Ando and Lily Franky, who embody the contradictions of parental love under desperate circumstances.

Highlights

• Powerful ensemble cast
• Sensitive portrayal of social issues
• Emotional climax with lasting impact

Lowlights

• Slow pacing may not suit all viewers

Verdict

A poignant masterpiece that questions the definition of family.

Credits

Cast: Lily Franky, Sakura Ando, Mayu Matsuoka, Jyo Kairi, Miyu Sasaki, Kirin Kiki
Writers: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Music: Haruomi Hosono