After successfully trying his hand at film noir Kore-eda goes back to more the usual territory of houmu dorama (family drama), with a particular focus on the kids. But nothing about this story of a (very) small-time criminal family seems tired or cliched, because of Kore-eda's clear passion for exploring all the facets of this quirky group. Played by many of his regulars with evident relish, the characters are touching, maddening, funny and proud.
The movie met with tremendous success in Japan, despite the government's disapproval, likely due to the fact it depicts people on the margins. People who work for a pittance, are treated like trash, yet whose humanity shines through relentlessly.

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For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets