In less sensitive hands than Kore-eda's, it could have come across as cloyingly introverted but instead there is wit and warmth in the observed relationship between the two women.

~ Richard Mowe -

In less sensitive hands than Kore-eda's, it could have come across as cloyingly introverted but instead there is wit and warmth in the observed relationship between the two women.

~ Richard Mowe -

The lightness of touch so evident in his family films is no less deft here, as he woos us with the promise of cast iron fact.... only to spend the rest of the film oiling the ground beneath our beliefs until they can't stop sliding this way and that

~ Amber Wilkinson -

The lightness of touch so evident in his family films is no less deft here, as he woos us with the promise of cast iron fact.... only to spend the rest of the film oiling the ground beneath our beliefs until they can't stop sliding this way and that

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Some may be dissuaded by the painstaking pace yet the tone manages to be both humorous and heart-rending at the same time.

~ Richard Mowe -

Some may be dissuaded by the painstaking pace yet the tone manages to be both humorous and heart-rending at the same time.

~ Richard Mowe -

It is in the women's emotions that the heart of the matter lies and Kore-eda, as always, handles them with an elegant lightness of touch.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

It is in the women's emotions that the heart of the matter lies and Kore-eda, as always, handles them with an elegant lightness of touch.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

A labour of love that invites you into a disturbing world on the margins of society, invisible to most.

~ Emma Slawinski -

A labour of love that invites you into a disturbing world on the margins of society, invisible to most.

~ Emma Slawinski -

A beautifully constructed piece of work in which every detail serves the whole, putting the tools of the epic at the disposal of a story which is intimate and delicately realised.

~ Jennie Kermode -

A beautifully constructed piece of work in which every detail serves the whole, putting the tools of the epic at the disposal of a story which is intimate and delicately realised.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Generally, this film engages more intellectually with emotion than Kore-eda's later more heartfelt work.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Generally, this film engages more intellectually with emotion than Kore-eda's later more heartfelt work.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Shuttling back and forth between the families, Like Father, Like Son scrutinises words, deeds, allegiances.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Shuttling back and forth between the families, Like Father, Like Son scrutinises words, deeds, allegiances.

~ Anne-Katrin Titze -

Hirokazu Koreeda's childhood adventure is a sweet and subtle tale of friendship, generosity of spirit and the triumph of hope over expectation.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

Hirokazu Koreeda's childhood adventure is a sweet and subtle tale of friendship, generosity of spirit and the triumph of hope over expectation.

~ Amber Wilkinson -

More pedantic than poetic, making for an unfulfilling watch.

~ Dora Leu -

More pedantic than poetic, making for an unfulfilling watch.

~ Dora Leu -

Delicately scored by Katsuhiko Maeda, the early part of the film has a real magic about it, its sweet-natured heroine conveying an infectious sense of wonder.

~ Jennie Kermode -

Delicately scored by Katsuhiko Maeda, the early part of the film has a real magic about it, its sweet-natured heroine conveying an infectious sense of wonder.

~ Jennie Kermode -