Our Family (2014) (Blu-ray) (English Subtitled) (Hong Kong Version) Blu-ray Region A

Based on Hayamai Kazumasa's novel, Our Family introduces us to the Wakanas: parents Reiko (Harada Mieko) and Katsuaki (Nagatsuka Kyozo) and their adult children, Kousuke (Tsumabuki Satoshi) and Shunpei (Ikematsu Sosuke). Older brother Kousuke is a harried salaryman with a demanding pregnant wife, while college-aged Shunpei is a glib and messy slacker. After Reiko causes a scene during an awkward dinner with the in-laws, it's discovered that her memory lapses and slips of tongue are caused by a brain tumor that the doctor predicts will claim her life in a matter of days. Furthermore, it turns out both parents have secretly accumulated debt like no tomorrow, and should they declare bankruptcy, the burden would fall on Kousuke's sagging shoulders.

Bad promptly escalates to worse in near farcical manner, something Ishii is great at. However, whereas in an earlier Ishii film, one might expect things to go even more spectacularly awry after swelling to a breaking point, in Our Family, the unreliable protagonists reach within themselves, buckle up and face the consequences as adults and as family. The film displays dry humor and absurdity in moments of crisis, but also finds dignity in desperation, compassion in weakness. It doesn't at all feel like Ishii's phoning in a heartwarming family drama because that's what mainstream cinema calls for, but rather the subtle, acute script offers a realistic portrait of how people can harbor lies, evade responsibility and put off problems on a daily basis. Those same resigned people can also pull together during tough times, because that's just what you've got to do, especially when you're family.

Everyone's family is a bit dysfunctional, but that means they must also be a bit functional, too. Our Family captures that balance of good and bad with moving, understated dexterity. The Wakanas are a bit like my family and probably a bit like yours.