The Family Game 1983
In Yoshimitsu Morita's razor-sharp 1983 comedy-drama *The Family Game*, the façade of the traditional Japanese household cracks under the weight of dysfunction and societal pressure.
Director: Yoshimitsu Morita
Cast
Yūsaku Matsuda
Yoshimoto
Jūzō Itami
Mr. Numata
Yuki Saori
Mrs. Numata
Ichirôta Miyakawa
Shigeyuki
Junichi Tsujita
Shinichi
Jun Togawa
Neighbour's Wife
Yoko Aki
Yoshimoto's Lover
Kôichirô Doi
Tsuchiya
Yoneko Matsukane
Shigeyuki's English Teacher
Katsunobu Ito
Shigeyuki's Japanese Teacher
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Family Game (1983) about?
This sharp Japanese comedy-drama follows a seemingly ordinary family whose carefully maintained routines are upended when a rebellious tutor enters their lives. As the tutor dismantles their pretenses, the film reveals the absurdity and fragility beneath the surface of traditional family values.
Who directed The Family Game?
The Family Game was directed by Yoshimitsu Morita, a filmmaker celebrated for his incisive social satires and keen observations of Japanese society during the 1980s.
Who stars in The Family Game?
The cast of The Family Game features Yūsaku Matsuda as the rebellious tutor, Jūzō Itami as the overworked father, Yuki Saori as the disillusioned mother, and Ichirôta Miyakawa and Junichi Tsujita as the contrasting sons.
Is The Family Game (1983) worth watching?
While *The Family Game* isn't rated on IMDb, its status as a cult classic among Japanese cinema enthusiasts speaks volumes. The film's biting satire, strong performances, and fearless critique of societal norms make it a compelling watch for fans of dark comedy and character-driven dramas.
How long is The Family Game?
The Family Game has a runtime of 107 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About The Family Game (1983) — A Satirical Masterpiece of Family Dysfunction
In Yoshimitsu Morita's razor-sharp 1983 comedy-drama *The Family Game*, the façade of the traditional Japanese household cracks under the weight of dysfunction and societal pressure. The film dissects the struggles of an upper-middle-class family trapped in their suburban routine: a detached salaryman father drowning in work, a mother whose domestic role offers no real fulfillment, an academically compliant older son, and a younger son whose disruptive antics expose the hollowness of their lives. When a rebellious tutor—played with magnetic intensity by Yūsaku Matsuda—enters the picture, he doesn't just challenge the status quo; he dismantles it entirely, exposing the absurdity and fragility of their carefully constructed world.
Morita's biting satire blends dark humor with poignant social commentary, capturing the tension between individual dreams and familial expectations in 1980s Japan. With its stark visuals and unflinching portrayal of generational conflict, *The Family Game* transcends its era to become a timeless exploration of identity, rebellion, and the myths we cling to in the name of respectability.
