Manbiki Kazoku (Shoplifters): A Flash Review

Source: www.moviepostershop.com

Nothing is what it seems for Hirokazu Kore-eda's 2018 drama noir submission to 71st Cannes Film Festival (Oh, fun fact it won Palme d'Or by the way). The plot revolves around a ragtag family who lives day to day thru shoplifting and working small time jobs in fast-paced Japan.

The movie asks for empathy and nonchalance on the family's petty thieveries. Reasoning it's ok to shoplift since technically nobody owns the merchandise yet; or in taking in Yuri arguing that it's not kidnapping since they didn't ask for a ransom.

Then you are gobsmacked with the powerful climax. Almost mocking in fact. How does one not figure out that the "family members" are but a shoplift (of sorts) as well? Each individuals are from different families who decided to leave their own and form their own version of home. But that is Kore-eda, a wonderful storyteller who is always on eye-level with his actors and audience.

Stay Curious,

Sai.D