We Are Family 出租家人 (2024) Hong Kong 🇭🇰
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia 🇦🇺)
Director Benny Lau Wai-hang returns to form after the underwhelming “Burning” with one of the surprisingly emotional “We Are Family” produced and starring industry veteran Eric Tsang. The family and relationship drama works in many dimensions, namely its resonate with relatable characters, sense of loss and dealing with human emotions at its very core. Sometimes, simplicity is the key to success and for that Lau nails it perfectly in key scenes and manages to take the audience along for the emotional ride.
Eric Tsang is the kind of actor that can churn out a brilliant dramatic performance when he is required to not be annoying. Tsang is at his very best here in complicated moments of conflicted emotions and shines as he carries the film with his framed shoulders. His chemistry with the cast makes the film all the more entertaining and relatable on many levels. The much missed Tien Niu makes a terrific balance of presence and emotional depth required and rhymes well with Tsang as her “landlord” and grieving wife. Carlos Chan continues to improve as the founder of the rent a family business that brings everyone together. Catherine Chau is ever dependable as acting coach and mother.
All in all, “We Are Family” is the kind of film that takes the audience along for the ride and the emotional core of the film makes it all the more worthwhile for seeing it thought. With a return to form for Lau and Tsang, the film remind us about our own families and experiences along the way. Beautiful little film with an emotional core.
I rated it 8/10