meatthesavages.com – Shoplifters (2018), directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, is a poignant and thought-provoking film that delves deep into the complexities of family, morality, and survival. Set in contemporary Japan, the film follows an unconventional family living in poverty who, despite their struggles, share a deep bond of love and care for one another. The film won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim for its sensitive treatment of social issues, its nuanced portrayal of human relationships, and its exploration of what it means to be a family.
At the heart of Shoplifters is the story of Osamu Shibata (Lily Franky) and his wife Nobuyo (Sakura Ando), who live in a small, cramped house with their children. Their family is not defined by traditional legal or biological ties, but by their shared experiences, hardships, and love. When the family takes in a young girl, Yuri (Miyu Sasaki), after discovering her in a state of neglect, the lines between right and wrong become increasingly blurred, as they try to provide for one another while engaging in petty theft to survive.
Kore-eda’s delicate direction and the emotionally resonant performances from the cast bring Shoplifters to life, creating a film that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, a meditation on the nature of family and the lengths people will go to for those they love.
Plot Overview: An Unconventional Family’s Struggle to Survive
The film begins with Osamu, a middle-aged man, and his son Shota (Jyo Kairi), returning home after a day of shoplifting. Their small family survives by stealing food and household items, their criminal activity a desperate attempt to make ends meet in a society that offers them little. Osamu’s wife Nobuyo, who works in a factory, is also involved in the family’s survival schemes, and together, they manage to scrape by.
One evening, Osamu and Shota come across Yuri, a young girl who has been locked out of her house by her abusive parents. After taking her in and learning of her neglectful situation, the family decides to keep her with them. They treat her like one of their own, providing her with food, clothing, and affection. Yuri’s addition to the family seems to bring a new sense of warmth and purpose, even though they are already living on the edge of poverty.
As the family navigates the challenges of their existence, their relationships begin to unravel in unexpected ways. The deeper bonds that tie them together are tested when their illegal activities and secrets are discovered, and they are forced to confront the moral implications of their actions.
The film’s pacing is slow and contemplative, focusing on the everyday lives of the characters. Through these seemingly mundane moments, Shoplifters reveals the complexities of the family’s situation and the moral dilemmas they face. The children’s quiet acceptance of their circumstances, the parents’ deep care for their “children,” and the secrets that bind them all together unfold gradually, leading to a poignant and emotionally charged climax.
Themes: Family, Morality, and Survival
The Nature of Family
At its core, Shoplifters is a reflection on the nature of family. The film challenges traditional notions of family by showing that family is not solely defined by legal or biological ties, but by love, care, and mutual support. Despite the family’s illegal activities and unconventional structure, they share a profound sense of kinship that transcends societal expectations.
The film depicts a family that functions not through wealth or material success but through emotional connection and shared experience. Osamu and Nobuyo’s devotion to the children in their care, and the children’s loyalty to each other, form the emotional heart of the film. They come together to survive, showing that love and care are often more essential than the traditional markers of family, such as blood ties or legal status.
The arrival of Yuri in the family highlights the capacity of love to extend beyond traditional boundaries. Her inclusion into the family, despite the ethical and legal implications, underscores the idea that family is defined by those who care for and protect one another, rather than by conventional norms.
Poverty and Survival
Another key theme of Shoplifters is poverty and the lengths people will go to survive. The film paints a stark portrait of life in Japan’s lower economic strata, where the struggle to make ends meet forces people to take desperate measures. Osamu, Nobuyo, and their children live on the margins of society, relying on petty theft and other illegal activities to survive.
However, Kore-eda’s approach is nuanced; he does not demonize the characters for their actions. Instead, he shows the complex moral landscape they inhabit, where survival often requires difficult, sometimes morally questionable decisions. The film challenges the viewer to reconsider ideas of right and wrong, asking whether the love and care shown by the family can be considered more valuable than their transgressions.
Through the lens of poverty, Shoplifters also touches on broader social issues, such as the gap between the rich and the poor and the difficulties faced by marginalized people in society. The family’s struggle to survive is a reflection of a larger societal issue, where the economic system leaves many people with few options but to resort to criminal behavior.
Morality and the Ethics of Care
The film also explores the complex moral questions surrounding the family’s actions. As the children and adults steal to survive, the line between right and wrong becomes increasingly blurry. The characters’ actions are driven by a deep sense of care for one another, but they are also forced to confront the moral costs of their behavior.
Osamu and Nobuyo’s decisions are motivated by love for the children, but their actions also raise ethical questions about the boundaries of care and protection. While their actions are undeniably illegal, Shoplifters encourages viewers to reflect on the moral nuances of their choices. The film suggests that in a society where the poor are often left behind, survival sometimes demands actions that challenge conventional morality.
Kore-eda subtly critiques the societal structures that force individuals into such dire situations. By presenting the characters’ actions with empathy and understanding, Shoplifters asks the audience to question the justice of a system that punishes survival tactics instead of addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality.
Cinematic Style: A Quiet, Reflective Approach
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s direction in Shoplifters is marked by its quiet, understated style. The film’s pacing is slow and deliberate, focusing on the intimate moments between the characters as they navigate their daily lives. This approach allows the emotional depth of the story to unfold naturally, without relying on melodrama or overt sentimentality.
Kore-eda’s use of close-ups and natural lighting creates a sense of intimacy with the characters, allowing the audience to connect with them on a deep, personal level. The film’s cinematography, by Ryûzô Kikuchi, is often soft and muted, reflecting the characters’ struggle and their fragile existence. The use of space is also important in Shoplifters—the cramped apartment where the family lives becomes both a symbol of their poverty and a space filled with warmth and love.
The performances in the film are exceptional, with the cast delivering nuanced, emotionally complex portrayals of their characters. Lily Franky’s portrayal of Osamu is a standout, capturing the character’s quiet, loving nature while also revealing the internal conflict he feels as he grapples with his actions. The children, particularly Jyo Kairi and Miyu Sasaki, bring a raw, natural energy to their roles, portraying their characters with innocence and depth.
Legacy and Impact: A Universal Reflection on Family and Society
Shoplifters received widespread acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of family dynamics and social issues, and its success at Cannes, where it won the Palme d’Or, brought it to international attention. The film continues to resonate with audiences around the world, praised for its universal themes and the emotional depth of its storytelling.
By focusing on a family that does not conform to societal norms but is bound together by love, Kore-eda offers a powerful commentary on the true meaning of family and the lengths people will go to in order to protect those they care about. Shoplifters also serves as a critique of social inequality and the consequences of a system that leaves people struggling to survive.
The film’s impact extends beyond Japan, as it prompts viewers to reflect on their own definitions of family, morality, and survival. It encourages a more compassionate and nuanced understanding of human behavior, particularly in the context of poverty and social marginalization.
Conclusion: A Tender, Thought-Provoking Meditation on Family and Morality
Shoplifters (2018) is a beautifully crafted film that explores the complexity of family, the ethics of survival, and the emotional depth of human relationships. Through its sensitive direction, powerful performances, and subtle social commentary, the film offers a compelling meditation on what it means to care for one another and how society defines right and wrong. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s tender, humanistic approach makes Shoplifters a timeless and universally resonant story, one that challenges audiences to reconsider their ideas of family, morality, and the human condition.