Watch Shoplifters

Shoplifters is a 2018 Japanese film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. Set in Tokyo, the film follows a family of small-time crooks who rely on shoplifting to survive. The cast includes Lily Franky, Sakura Ando, Kirin Kiki, Mayu Matsuoka, and Jyo Kairi. Shoplifters is a powerful and moving drama that explores themes of poverty, family, and the meaning of love.

The story centers around the Shibata family, a group of six people who live together in a small, cluttered house. Osamu (played by Lily Franky) is the father figure and teaches his young son, Shota (played by Jyo Kairi), the art of shoplifting. They are joined by Osamu's partner in crime, Nobuyo (played by Sakura Ando), who works at a laundry and makes a living selling stolen clothes. Hatsue (played by the late Kirin Kiki) is Osamu's wife, and her pension provides a means to support the family. The family is completed by Aki (played by Mayu Matsuoka), Hatsue’s daughter from a previous marriage, who works at a peepshow.

The family's dynamic changes when they encounter a young girl named Yuri (played by Miyu Sasaki) who seems to be neglected by her parents. Feeling sorry for her, Osamu and Nobuyo take her in temporarily. However, when they discover that Yuri's parents are abusive, they decide to keep her and raise her as their own. The addition of Yuri brings new challenges to the already struggling family, but they all work together to keep their makeshift family intact.

Throughout the film, we see the family go through various hardships and challenges, including poverty, illness, and loss. But despite all the difficulties, the family's love for each other never wanes. It's a touching portrayal of the bonds that tie families together, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Shoplifters is a beautifully shot film, with Kore-eda's naturalistic style giving the audience an intimate look at the day-to-day lives of the Shibata family. The family's home is cluttered and cramped, but it's filled with warmth and love. The performances are all fantastic, with Franky and Ando particularly standing out. Their chemistry as a couple is palpable, and their scenes together are some of the most poignant in the film.

The film raises important questions about poverty and inequality, and how those issues affect families. It also explores the concept of what makes a family, and whether blood ties are necessary to create meaningful and lasting bonds. It's a thought-provoking film that invites the audience to contemplate the meaning of love and family.

Shoplifters won the coveted Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, and it's easy to see why. Kore-eda's masterful direction, combined with the excellent performances and engaging story, make for a truly unforgettable viewing experience. It's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, Shoplifters is a poignant and heart-wrenching drama that explores what it means to be a family. The film's performances, direction, and cinematography are all top-notch, resulting in an emotionally resonant viewing experience. It's a must-see for anyone who loves great cinema.

Shoplifters is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received outstanding reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 93.