It is difficult
imagining anyone other than a Japanese filmmaker handling this material, having
a longstanding tradition in carefully paced family dramas best remembered in
the lifelong works of master filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu. Kore-eda Hirokazu has
picked up that tradition wonderfully in the past with a portrait of sibling
codependence and compassion with Nobody
Knows, as well as the lasting effects of grief on a family in Still Walking, and utilizes it yet again
in this touching inspection of what it means to be a parent. While there is a
satisfying resolution to the conundrum of the film’s basic premise, Hirokazu’s
strength as a filmmaker comes with his patience. The ending is satisfying
because we feel we have earned it, taking a slow but intention path to reach
that final resolution.
Like Father, Like Son has a simple
premise, which quickly relies heavily on the well-developed characters in the
narrative rather than additional plot twists or subplots. In this, Hirokazu
gives the audience permission to focus entirely on the themes of parenthood at
the center of the story. Affluent architect Ryota (Masaharu Fukuyama) and his
wife Midori (Machiko Ono) seem to have everything in their swanky high-rise
apartment with their beloved six-year-old son, Keita (Keita Ninomiya), but this
seemingly ideal life is turned upside down with they are contacted by the
hospital with disturbing news. Due to an accident at the hospital, it turns out
that Keita was switched with another baby at birth, and Ryota and Midori’s son
has been raised by another family for six years.
Keita’s
biological parents couldn’t be more different than Ryota and Midori in many
ways, especially the parenting techniques of his father, Yudai Saiki (Rirî
Furankî). While Ryota is a workaholic that spends his Sundays in the office
rather than with his son, Yudai is an unmotivated shopkeeper content to spend
his days playing with his children rather than making money. Like Father, Like
Son becomes more than a film about nature versus nurture; it also becomes a
movie about the balance between happiness and success. Both fathers have
something to learn from each other in the process of deciding what to do about
the tragic mix-up.
Like Father,
Like Son is ultimately a beautiful film about the power of love that grows
between a parent and child, regardless of bloodlines. This is shown in many
different varieties throughout the film as Ryota struggles to find resolution
in the mistake. Having been raised by a step-mother, the issue has particular
significance to Ryota. It all builds quite wonderfully to an inevitable
resolution. My only complaint is that this moment could have been much more
magnificent with a more fitting child actor in the role of Keita. Too much is
built upon a final scene between Keita and Ryota, but it falls short with a
child actor who was clearly cast for his ability to look cute rather than any
talents as an actor.
The special
features include a trailer.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of Filmmaking:
8/10
Historical
Significance: 6.5/10
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