Tel père, tel fils

"Work hard now, so there is no struggle later" declares a hard-driving and pushy Dad. As if work makes the man. As if it is so simple. Upon discovering his 6-year-old son was switched at birth, the Dad continues to focus on form and not heart. The family taking care of his real son is everything that he is not; fun-loving, adventuresome, and loving of the natural world. He pools his lawyers and his money in order to prove a point, yet the point proved may be his own demise. Though the story might be better developed in places, the theme is compelling and poignant, the actors are believable, and the disparate characters are intriguing. Winner of a Cannes festival jury prize. This film is about the importance of achieving real connections with others.

Director Hirozaku Koreeda returns to the children theme, presenting a drama about a couple that discovers that their 6 year old son has been swapped in the hospital with another baby. Now, there is a choice to be made, as whether the children should be switched or not. The movie has a cold, intense and almost uncomfortable feel to it, such is the delicacy of the situation itself, whose directing easily penetrates through the viewers spirit. All the actors, adults and children, deliver an outstanding performance, particularly Masaharu Fukuyama, the father. Also it is important to note how the movie doesn't fall into stereotypes and into the easy sentimentalism. The movie is strong, just as the presentation, all building up for one of the best movies in 2013. Check out this and other movie reviews on thefadingcam blog on blogspot! Also like us on facebook =)

I just discovered Koreeda's films and I'm surprised, and angry with myself, I didn't know about this great director and storyteller. The film is a wonderful story about parenthood in which its hardship and beauty are well balanced.

The story drives the audience into the lives of two (almost antagonistic) families who had to go through a tough situation together, a situation imposed by a third party in the past. Koreeda tell us the story by examining these two very different families. By portraying these almost antagonistic families the story creates contrast and allow the characters to grow an evolution while they discovered themselves.

I will not say more... watch it if you are looking for touching, delightful and well directed story about family and love.

'Like Father, Like Son' is the latest film from Hirokazu Koreeda that won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Like 'Nobody Knows' and 'I Wish', Koreeda's previous films, it deals with family conflicts and children. A successful businessman discovers that the boy he has been raising for 6 years is actually not his son, as his son was switched with another child after birth. Now he needs to choose between his biological child and the child he has raised…

The actors in this film are great, not only Masaharu Fukuyama as father but also the young actors who play Keita and Ryusei. Koreeda always works well with kids. Keita is so adorable. The film handles the conflict very realistically and well reflects how the way of upbringing have influence on the children. It is quite emotional at the end of the film, so be prepared you may shed some tears.

The story is about two Japanese families who got their sons exchanged at birth but only to find out about it 6 years later. The big dilemma that both families face is whether to switch children or not. The main strength of this film is the unique story and the complexities that comes with this theme. Already from the start when both families meet a lot of tensions occur due to the different backgrounds and personalities of the characters. The acting performances are top notch creating a convincing scenario between these families. Koreeda has always been good with handling fun and deep family stories with underlying conflicts. A masterful combination of both humour and grief. This film will make you both laugh and cry. As always in Koreeda films the children are the biggest reasons for enjoying his films. Full of charisma and innocence pulling us through a emotional journey from start to end.