Shoplifters

One of my favorite subgenres of Drama, the poor-family-resorting-to-crime-leading-to-an-even-bigger-downfall subgenre

Hirokazu Kore-eda's Shoplifters is a profoundly moving and intricately woven Japanese drama that challenges conventional notions of family, love, and morality. Written, directed, and edited by Kore-eda himself, the film centers on a makeshift family in Tokyo who relies on petty crime, primarily shoplifting, to survive in poverty. Starring Lily Franky and Sakura Ando, the film promises a compassionate yet unflinching look at the lives of those marginalized by society. My initial reaction was one of immediate captivation; the film's quiet naturalism and the endearing dynamics of its unconventional family pulled me in completely. My overall impression is that Shoplifters is an exceptional and deeply humanistic masterpiece, a poignant and complex exploration of what truly constitutes a family, delivered with meticulous filmmaking and heartbreaking performances. Its Palme d'Or win at Cannes was richly deserved.

Rating:
8.9/10 ⭐️ (★★★★½ - Exceptional)
An exceptional rating for a film that is a masterclass in understated drama, boasting powerful performances, profound thematic depth, and a beautifully empathetic portrayal of a marginalized family, making it a true masterpiece of world cinema.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): Kore-eda's screenplay is a triumph of empathetic storytelling. The film initially presents a seemingly simple slice-of-life narrative about a family shoplifting to survive, but gradually peels back layers to reveal complex pasts, moral ambiguities, and profound emotional connections. The decision to bring Yuri (Miyu Sasaki) into their fold, driven by a simple act of compassion, challenges the audience's preconceived notions of "right" and "wrong." The pacing is deliberate and naturalistic, allowing the audience to intimately know each character before the devastating truths are revealed. The themes of what truly constitutes a family (biological vs. chosen), poverty, societal judgment, and the lengths people go for love are explored with immense depth and nuance.
* Characters (Strengths): The ensemble cast delivers uniformly brilliant performances that are both raw and deeply affecting. Lily Franky as Osamu Shibata perfectly embodies the flawed but loving patriarch. Sakura Ando as Nobuyo Shibata is a revelation, conveying immense warmth, frustration, and later, heartbreaking vulnerability. Mayu Matsuoka as Aki Shibata brings a quiet melancholy, while Kairi Jo as Shota Shibata and Miyu Sasaki as Yuri/Lin deliver remarkably natural and poignant performances as the children navigating this unconventional life. Kirin Kiki, as the elderly Hatsue, provides a comforting and subtly complex presence. The chemistry among the family members feels incredibly authentic, making their bonds believable and deeply moving.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Hirokazu Kore-eda's direction is masterful, characterized by his signature observational style and deep humanism. He crafts a world that feels lived-in and authentic, allowing the viewer to become an unnoticed presence in their lives. His ability to elicit such naturalistic performances, especially from the child actors, is exceptional. Kondo Ryuto's cinematography, shot on 35mm film, beautifully captures the grittiness of Tokyo's poorer neighborhoods while also finding moments of tender beauty. The editing by Kore-eda himself is subtle, contributing to the film's organic flow and emotional impact. Haruomi Hosono's score is gentle and unobtrusive, perfectly underscoring the film's emotional depth.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The film's production design meticulously recreates the cramped, cluttered, yet strangely comforting home of the Shibata family, making it a character in itself. The use of 35mm film provides a rich texture and grain that enhances the film's realism and aesthetic. The sound design is subtle, focusing on the sounds of everyday life that immerse the audience in their world.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: Shoplifters is an incredibly engaging and emotionally powerful film. Its humanistic approach and the endearing qualities of the characters draw you in completely. Despite the difficult themes, the film offers moments of genuine warmth, humor, and joy. The ultimate revelations are heartbreaking, yet delivered with such sincerity that they resonate deeply, making it a profoundly moving experience.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): While its deliberate pace is a strength, for some viewers accustomed to more explicit plot developments, the film's gradual unfolding of truths might require patience. The ethical complexities are left for the audience to ponder, which might not appeal to those seeking clear moral answers.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): The film's portrayal of poverty, child abuse, and the moral ambiguities of its characters can be emotionally heavy and unsettling for some viewers, particularly in the latter half when the harsh realities of their situation are fully exposed.

The Verdict:
Shoplifters is an exceptional work of cinema, a deeply humanistic and profoundly moving drama that solidifies Hirokazu Kore-eda's status as one of the world's finest filmmakers. It bravely and empathetically explores the complex question of what truly defines a family, defying easy judgments and inviting viewers to look beyond societal labels. Anchored by breathtaking performances from its entire ensemble, especially Lily Franky and Sakura Ando, and meticulous, naturalistic direction, the film is a masterclass in understated storytelling. Its raw emotional power, combined with its keen social observations, makes it an unforgettable and essential watch. A well-deserved Palme d'Or winner, it leaves a lasting impression of compassion and the enduring power of human connection, even in the most unconventional of circumstances.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film is primarily a drama with strong elements of slice-of-life and social realism. Its tone is consistently empathetic, poignant, and melancholic, yet interspersed with moments of genuine warmth, humor, and joy, reflecting the complexities of life.
* Target Audience: It appeals to adult audiences who appreciate nuanced character studies, social dramas, and films that challenge conventional morality. Its universal themes of family and love ensure a broad international appeal.
* Originality & Innovation: The film's originality lies in its empathetic portrayal of a marginalized "found family" that relies on shoplifting, forcing viewers to question societal norms and the legal definitions of family versus the emotional bonds. Kore-eda's signature naturalistic style continues to feel fresh and authentic.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): The film deeply explores themes of poverty, social inequality, the definition of family (biological vs. chosen), the blurred lines of morality, the impact of neglect and abuse on children, and the resilience of the human spirit. It serves as a subtle yet powerful social commentary on the hidden aspects of Japanese society.
* Comparison to Other Films: It shares thematic and stylistic DNA with Kore-eda's other works, such as Nobody Knows (in its portrayal of marginalized children) and Like Father, Like Son (in its exploration of what makes a family). It stands alongside other great films about unconventional families and poverty, but with Kore-eda's unique humanistic touch.

can't read qr codes thanks

Hirokazu Kore-eda's Shoplifters is a profoundly moving and intricately woven Japanese drama that challenges conventional notions of family, love, and morality. Written, directed, and edited by Kore-eda himself, the film centers on a makeshift family in Tokyo who relies on petty crime, primarily shoplifting, to survive in poverty. Starring Lily Franky and Sakura Ando, the film promises a compassionate yet unflinching look at the lives of those marginalized by society. My initial reaction was one of immediate captivation; the film's quiet naturalism and the endearing dynamics of its unconventional family pulled me in completely. My overall impression is that Shoplifters is an exceptional and deeply humanistic masterpiece, a poignant and complex exploration of what truly constitutes a family, delivered with meticulous filmmaking and heartbreaking performances. Its Palme d'Or win at Cannes was richly deserved.

Rating:
8.9/10 ⭐️ (★★★★½ - Exceptional)
An exceptional rating for a film that is a masterclass in understated drama, boasting powerful performances, profound thematic depth, and a beautifully empathetic portrayal of a marginalized family, making it a true masterpiece of world cinema.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): Kore-eda's screenplay is a triumph of empathetic storytelling. The film initially presents a seemingly simple slice-of-life narrative about a family shoplifting to survive, but gradually peels back layers to reveal complex pasts, moral ambiguities, and profound emotional connections. The decision to bring Yuri (Miyu Sasaki) into their fold, driven by a simple act of compassion, challenges the audience's preconceived notions of "right" and "wrong." The pacing is deliberate and naturalistic, allowing the audience to intimately know each character before the devastating truths are revealed. The themes of what truly constitutes a family (biological vs. chosen), poverty, societal judgment, and the lengths people go for love are explored with immense depth and nuance.
* Characters (Strengths): The ensemble cast delivers uniformly brilliant performances that are both raw and deeply affecting. Lily Franky as Osamu Shibata perfectly embodies the flawed but loving patriarch. Sakura Ando as Nobuyo Shibata is a revelation, conveying immense warmth, frustration, and later, heartbreaking vulnerability. Mayu Matsuoka as Aki Shibata brings a quiet melancholy, while Kairi Jo as Shota Shibata and Miyu Sasaki as Yuri/Lin deliver remarkably natural and poignant performances as the children navigating this unconventional life. Kirin Kiki, as the elderly Hatsue, provides a comforting and subtly complex presence. The chemistry among the family members feels incredibly authentic, making their bonds believable and deeply moving.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Hirokazu Kore-eda's direction is masterful, characterized by his signature observational style and deep humanism. He crafts a world that feels lived-in and authentic, allowing the viewer to become an unnoticed presence in their lives. His ability to elicit such naturalistic performances, especially from the child actors, is exceptional. Kondo Ryuto's cinematography, shot on 35mm film, beautifully captures the grittiness of Tokyo's poorer neighborhoods while also finding moments of tender beauty. The editing by Kore-eda himself is subtle, contributing to the film's organic flow and emotional impact. Haruomi Hosono's score is gentle and unobtrusive, perfectly underscoring the film's emotional depth.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The film's production design meticulously recreates the cramped, cluttered, yet strangely comforting home of the Shibata family, making it a character in itself. The use of 35mm film provides a rich texture and grain that enhances the film's realism and aesthetic. The sound design is subtle, focusing on the sounds of everyday life that immerse the audience in their world.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: Shoplifters is an incredibly engaging and emotionally powerful film. Its humanistic approach and the endearing qualities of the characters draw you in completely. Despite the difficult themes, the film offers moments of genuine warmth, humor, and joy. The ultimate revelations are heartbreaking, yet delivered with such sincerity that they resonate deeply, making it a profoundly moving experience.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): While its deliberate pace is a strength, for some viewers accustomed to more explicit plot developments, the film's gradual unfolding of truths might require patience. The ethical complexities are left for the audience to ponder, which might not appeal to those seeking clear moral answers.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): The film's portrayal of poverty, child abuse, and the moral ambiguities of its characters can be emotionally heavy and unsettling for some viewers, particularly in the latter half when the harsh realities of their situation are fully exposed.

The Verdict:
Shoplifters is an exceptional work of cinema, a deeply humanistic and profoundly moving drama that solidifies Hirokazu Kore-eda's status as one of the world's finest filmmakers. It bravely and empathetically explores the complex question of what truly defines a family, defying easy judgments and inviting viewers to look beyond societal labels. Anchored by breathtaking performances from its entire ensemble, especially Lily Franky and Sakura Ando, and meticulous, naturalistic direction, the film is a masterclass in understated storytelling. Its raw emotional power, combined with its keen social observations, makes it an unforgettable and essential watch. A well-deserved Palme d'Or winner, it leaves a lasting impression of compassion and the enduring power of human connection, even in the most unconventional of circumstances.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film is primarily a drama with strong elements of slice-of-life and social realism. Its tone is consistently empathetic, poignant, and melancholic, yet interspersed with moments of genuine warmth, humor, and joy, reflecting the complexities of life.
* Target Audience: It appeals to adult audiences who appreciate nuanced character studies, social dramas, and films that challenge conventional morality. Its universal themes of family and love ensure a broad international appeal.
* Originality & Innovation: The film's originality lies in its empathetic portrayal of a marginalized "found family" that relies on shoplifting, forcing viewers to question societal norms and the legal definitions of family versus the emotional bonds. Kore-eda's signature naturalistic style continues to feel fresh and authentic.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): The film deeply explores themes of poverty, social inequality, the definition of family (biological vs. chosen), the blurred lines of morality, the impact of neglect and abuse on children, and the resilience of the human spirit. It serves as a subtle yet powerful social commentary on the hidden aspects of Japanese society.
* Comparison to Other Films: It shares thematic and stylistic DNA with Kore-eda's other works, such as Nobody Knows (in its portrayal of marginalized children) and Like Father, Like Son (in its exploration of what makes a family). It stands alongside other great films about unconventional families and poverty, but with Kore-eda's unique humanistic touch.

can't read qr codes thanks

it was good but it had some boring scenes