Two families, two profoundly different social statuses: the simpler one with three children, the wealthier one with a six-year-old boy. They are informed that due to an error, their children were switched. Keita, a very calm and well-mannered child who plays the piano and lives in a house that looks like a hotel, is the biological son of the family with three children, an enchanting nucleus full of life, play, and fun, albeit in the dynamics of exemption from standard behavioral etiquette. The two families start to meet because a decision needs to be made: choose the biological child or the child raised for six years?

But most importantly: will the parents choose, or will the children themselves?

The wealthy father initially says, "now it all makes sense" and "how did I not notice," until he receives a real sentimental education in parenthood, a true maturation in his role as a father who, in turn, was a son of an unappreciated father.

The children seem trapped between what they want and the approval of their parents.

The subject is quite exploited in cinema, but Kore-eda manages to surprise with extreme delicacy, especially through the character of Ryota, the career-driven architect who faces the difficulty of discovering that in his seemingly perfect life, something did not go as planned. He had not made room for mistakes, but as they say, "life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." His almost perfect son is not his biological child, but how can he let him go? The conflict for a man intolerant of difficulties seems unacceptable, and for the first time, he will be forced to confront himself.

Between poverty and wealth, between love and guilt, between the estrangement of a non-biological child and the discovery of hidden desires.

The dual perspective of a camera will unravel the decision-making process because in life one perspective is never enough, especially if inattentive.

A highly refined, sophisticated, strong and delicate, light and intense, magical and enchanting film. An unmissable fairy tale, an appointment not to be missed.

22-Jun-2023 by Beatrice