TIFF '18 Film Review - Shoplifters

A  young boy and a middle age man enter a supermarket. They split up but are obviously working together staff positions are noted as the man blocks out the clerks for the boy to hide items under his clothes. they put down the basket they half filled as cover and leave the store. The pair returns home where they are bunking with grandma Hatsue Shibata (Kirin Kiki) who is on social assistance and supposed to be living alone. The other residents besides day labourer Osamu Shibata (Lily Franky)  are his wife Noboyu (Sakura Ando) a teenage girl Aki (Mayu Matsuoka) who seems too posh for the setting, and the boy Shota (Kairi Jyo) Osama's partner. The group isa mix of struggling misfits but they have true honor as they bring home a young 6-year-old girl Juri (Miyu Sasaki) that they find shivering alone abandoned and hungry.

The members of this circle do various forms of marginal work to fill their day. Aki works in a peep show booth where guys can get to cuddle with her for an extra fee. Noboyu works at a laundry facility where she steals items left in pockets and from the facility itself. Little Juri is soon coached up to go out with Shota learning the hand signals to join the shoplifting crew.

Director Hiokazu Koreeda beaks the myth that you can't choose your family. Here Osama is at the head of a family unit that have all in some way due to prior bad circumstances chose each other. Juri the latest edition is now on the news as her parents are looking for her, more for the government benefits that out of a real sense of loss. Then Shota has a fall after a botched shoplifting attempt that brings the authorities to the groups' door.

Shoplifters is a social study and commentary on Japanese society. A slice of the public does not earn a living wage meaning they have to resort to risky activities or go without. A pensioner cannot feed herself and maintain a good roof over her head. Juri's parents who abuse and neglect are seen as victims while Osama and Noboyu who take her in and despite their state in life show her real kindness and love pay the price for their actions. Shota takes chances out of jealousy of being displaced by Juri but he is at an age where he should get back to school for his best interest which is ultimately realized and recognized by both Osama and Noboyu.

***1/2 Out of 4.

Shoplifters | Hirokazu Koreeda | Japan | 2018 | 121 Minutes.

Tags: Orphan, Runaway, Kidnapping, Stealing, Pension, Squatting, Inspection, Investigation, Interrogation, Fishing, Reunion.