What could have easily fallen into "white savior" tropes was thankfully avoided as Fraser’s character wasn’t there to "fix" Japan, but rather to participate as a flawed soul with few social connections, in a broken society. It was incredibly refreshing to see an American character who actually tried to assimilate, speak the language, and respected the culture instead of pushing Americanism on everyone. It explored themes of loneliness, empathy and found family.
I appreciated the authenticity with the costuming, sets and usage of the Japanese language. The casting was superb with Fraser continuing his streak of choosing deep, thoughtful, and "good" characters who feel fully formed, and the entire ensemble played off him with impressive chemistry. I was especially impressed by Takehiro Hira who was the owner of the rental family agency with his own secrets and Mari Yamamoto who played Fraser's capable and intelligent peer.
This film was a pleasant surprise that was poignant and beautifully crafted. It managed to be a real tearjerker in the most heart-wrenching yet hopeful way that it effectively stuck with me long after the credits rolled.
