SHOPLIFTERS MOVIE REVIEW

1. This is my spoiler free review of the movie Shoplifters. I hope this gives you a useful insight of the basic storyline and characters. 
2. The cinematography: This is one of the weaker points of the movie, in my opinion. While the family is the point of focus in the movie, the cinematography is often shaky. It makes me aware of the surroundings of the family, sometimes more than the family itself. The camera captures the family’s emotions and actions, but in certain scenes makes my attention waver from the point of focus. Nonetheless, it truly hits the mark when it is required, of including certain pivotal scenes involving Hatsue, the grandmother and Osamu and his wife, Nobuyo which made me feel somewhat hollow inside. A job well done, but which could have been a bit better, especially in less important scenes. 
3. The storyline: The story of the movie centre’s around a blue collar make shift family in Japan who do almost whatever is required in order to survive, including shoplifting. The family seemingly comprises of a father (Osamu), a mother (Nobuye), a son (Shouta) , a young woman who would be presumed as the wife’s sister of the eldest daughter (Aki) , a young daughter (Yuri) and a grandmother (Hatsue). However, as the movie unfolds we realise that the family is not related by blood, instead coming together in a certain set of circumstances involving tough living conditions and a bond seemingly transcending the commonly held belief that family is made by blood. A huge plus to the movie, as it showcases the conditions of a living-paycheque-to-paycheque family while retaining a familial atmosphere of traditional Japanese families. The conflict within the characters as well as their interactions with each other, the passing down of wrong knowledge and the reluctance to do so amidst the failing financial conditions are some of the things that make Shoplifters such a great watch. 
4. The Screenplay: This is tricky, mainly because while the screenplay does resonate with the viewer, it also includes multiple scenes which do not, by itself either establish the story or the characters. A lot of scenes are repetitive, the reduction of which would mean almost 8 to 9 minutes of reduced screenplay, but I do understand as to why they wanted to keep those scenes, as they showcase a certain air of understanding between the characters. Other than that, the screenplay is crisp and does not waste too much time to get to the story and the characters at hand. One of the starting scenes, which justifies the movie’s title, is also an instant establishment of two major characters. The multiple other scenes, including the repetitive one, provide an insight into the stark difference between two different atmospheres a character has had to face. But perhaps my personal favourite had to be the one which showcased just how far one must go to ensure their survival, while retaining a sense of guilt as well as grief. Those scenes hit you hard and keep you engaged in both the characters and the story. Thus, the screenplay, while a bit of a drag at some points, makes up for it in many scenes. 
5. The Cast and Characters: I am not a native Japanese, hence it is quite possible that I may not know of certain cast members before watching this movie. I do hope that my character and cast analysis will be satisfactory to the readers. 

• Lily Franky-San (Osamu) : The only time I have seen him before this was in Ryōmaden and while I did enjoy the Taiga Drama as a whole, he did not particularly stand out amidst the ample number of characters and also because I had almost my entire focus on the Shinsengumi ( I first heard of Taiga Drama while watching Gintama, so I almost always waited for the Shinsengumi to show). As such, when I saw him in Shoplifters, I was not able to place where I had seen him before immediately. In Shoplifters, his was the character that had the greatest impact on me. I was curious about him rather than being a mere observer. His admittance of being wrong yet his inability to overcome it speak volumes of the character and society in general. There is truly no one else who comes to mind who could have played Osamu better than Lily Franky-San. The best parts in the movie for me involved him and Shouta. I not only enjoyed their interactions but also related with them more than any others. His portrayal was spot on and I wish to see tons more of him. 
• Kirin Kiki-Sama (Hatsue) : The first Japanese full length movie I ever saw (except Anime) was Half a Confession and ever since then the cast has had a deep impact on me. I pretty much always watch any movie that particular cast had been in and Kirin Kiki-Sama being in Shoplifters was the reason I watched it in the first place. Hatsue stayed with me long after the movie ended. She was dignified and inspite of her flaws, had my heart in the palm of her hand. Hatsue mimicked Kiki-Sama in a way not many would imagine and for that itself, Shoplifters has become of my favourites. 
• Sakura Ando-San (Nobuye) : This was my first time seeing Sakura Ando-San and I am glad it was. As Nobuye, she was often overshadowed by the other characters but her character arc, which was revealed late in the film made me feel uneasy. Her willingness to help her family, her turmoil while ensuring her survival and her eventual fate are so well weaves together. Ando-San is an excellent casting choice and her portrayal of Nobuye makes you realise just how much the mother of the family goes through, even if it is not her own. A scene involving her, Osamu and Hatsue also makes you feel a plethora of emotions including guilt, grief and a certain understanding. A wonderful act. 
• Kairi Jō- Kun (Shouta) : This was the first time I saw Kairi Jō-Kun and his Shouta was as endearing as it came. His conflicts, his actions and especially his stance had me engaged throughout. Shouta brought a certain balance to the movie. Where the adults acknowledge the wrong and continue it, Shouta not only acknowledged his wrong but also in a way ensured to correct it, even if just by a little. This was a departure from most kid roles in movies, where most do not have much to do or don’t have the chops to do it. Kairi- Kun’s Shouta has neither problem and for that, Hirokazu Kore-eda-Sama has my utmost respect. 
• Miyu Sasaki- Chan (Yuri) : After Shouta, she was the second child in the movie. She acted well and conveyed the emotions her character was going through so effectively. She is a good actress and portrayed her character spot on. As a major catalyst in the movie, her role was not as complicated and yet her storyline reminded me of my own in some ways. She wasn’t as good as Kairi-Kun but did make an impact on me. 
• Mayu Matsuoka-San (Aki) : She is possibly the actress I have seen the most out of the cast, in Chihayafuru, Aku no Kyōten and Sanada Maru as well as the Voice of Young Shoya in Koe no Katachi. In this movie, however, I did not relate to her much. Her character seemed a little out of place inspite of being established possibly the most directly in the family and while she did act exceedingly well and her character did bring a certain layer to the movie as a whole, overall, she seemed excessive and quite unnecessary. Leaving her character aside, the casting was spot on as Matsuoka-San portrays Aki extremely well. However, as a character, I did not quite understand Aki. She had one of the least impacts on me in the movie. I blame most of it to the character than the actor.

1. Overall review: Shoplifters is a film that questions a lot of things that may be firm beliefs for some. Is blood what makes a family or is it something else? In matters of survival is it fair to do anything it takes, even if it means subduing your conscience? Is a tragedy and unwilling circumstances what it takes to stick together? Should you follow your survival or your ideals? Is it right to teach wrong? Are ethics worth it when you are starving? The characters in the story work more like a case study of the blue collar family in Japan, a side of Japan most do not get to see. Hirokazu Kore-eda-Sama has made an unforgettable experience in the movie, which provides an insight not only into the Japanese underbelly but also the workings of a family in general. It’s well written, well directed, well paced, well acted and most of all well reacted.