Like Father, Like Son
A quiet, devastating meditation on the definition of family. Amidst the gentle hum of daily life and the sharp lines of Tokyo architecture, a cruel mistake forces two fathers to choose between the blood in their veins and the love in their years.
Like Father, Like Son
Like Father, Like Son

そして父になる

"At what point does a father truly become a father?"

24 September 2013 Japan 120 min ⭐ 7.7 (776)
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Cast: Masaharu Fukuyama, Machiko Ono, Yoko Maki, Lily Franky, Jun Fubuki
Drama
Nature vs. Nurture Time vs. Money Class and Social Status Forgiveness and Redemption
Box Office: $19,978,961

Like Father, Like Son - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

For humans and horses, it's all about blood lines.

— Ryota's Father

Context:

Ryota visits his estranger father, seeking advice. His father coldly dismisses the emotional bond with Keita, reinforcing Ryota's initial inclination to swap the boys.

Meaning:

Encapsulates the traditional, rigid view of family that Ryota has internalized. It serves as the ideological antagonist to the film's core message.

Father is a job.

— Yudai Saiki

Context:

During a tense conversation where Ryota claims he is too busy to spend time with the kids, Yudai corrects him, telling him that no one else can do the job of being a father to his son.

Meaning:

Yudai challenges Ryota's excuse that his work is too important to sacrifice for family time. He redefines fatherhood as the most important 'career' a man can have.

No one can do my job.

— Ryota Nonomiya

Context:

Ryota says this to Yudai to explain why he can't spend time with his son. Yudai retorts, 'No one can be a father to them but you.'

Meaning:

Ryota's defense of his workaholism. He believes he is indispensable at his architecture firm, using this to justify his absence at home.

Whatever happens, I'm your daddy.

— Ryota Nonomiya

Context:

Ryota tries to comfort Ryusei after the swap, attempting to assert authority and connection through verbal declaration rather than shared history.

Meaning:

A heartbreaking lie. Ryota says this to his biological son (Ryusei) while trying to force a bond, but the words ring hollow because he hasn't earned them yet.