We have seen many films delve on the topic of babies being switched at birth. Most of these, the story would revolve around the fortune of the kids. "Like Father, Like Son" is about the parents, particularly the fathers.

Ryoko and Midori Nonomiya are a well-to-do couple who had a sweet 6-year old son, Keita. Yukari and Yudai Saiki are a lower middle-class couple with a spirited 6-year old son, Ryusei. One day, they get news that a nurse had switched their sons with each another one at the hospital. With that shocking revelation, both families undergo an emotional ordeal in deciding how to settle their big problem in the best possible way for everyone concerned.

Writer-director Hirokazu Koreeda decides to tell the story from the point of view of Ryoko, a driven man at work who was disappointed that his son Keita was not as competitive nor independent as he wanted. When he gets the chance to be father to Ryusei as well, Ryoko discovers that his concept of fatherhood might not be as ideal as he thought.

Koreeda sets the contrasting dichotomy a bit too sharply. The Nonomiya home is sedate, quiet, and darkly lit. The Saiki home is messy, noisy and brightly lit. Ryoko (Masaharu Fukuyama)is handsome and smartly- dressed, but he is serious and haughty. Yukari (Riri Furanki) is homely and shoddily-dressed, but he is cheerful and kind. Which kind of father do you think the boys will prefer?

The important message of this film will definitely resonate with all fathers who watch this film. Fathers will reflect on their own parenting style and on what kind of father he had been. This film deserves all the praise heaped upon it. It is about time fatherhood is discussed very well in a film.

Director Hirozaku Koreeda returns to the children theme, presenting a drama about a couple that discovers that their 6 year old son has been swapped in the hospital with another baby. Now, there is a choice to be made, as whether the children should be switched or not. The movie has a cold, intense and almost uncomfortable feel to it, such is the delicacy of the situation itself, whose directing easily penetrates through the viewers spirit. All the actors, adults and children, deliver an outstanding performance, particularly Masaharu Fukuyama, the father. Also it is important to note how the movie doesn't fall into stereotypes and into the easy sentimentalism. The movie is strong, just as the presentation, all building up for one of the best movies in 2013. Check out this and other movie reviews on thefadingcam blog on blogspot! Also like us on facebook =)

As the largest contributor of reviews on IMDb (with nearly 16000),it's not surprising that I watch films from all over the world. During this weird quest to see as much as any human can during the last decade, I have grown to love foreign films from several nations--notably France, Japan and Denmark. While I might also include a few other countries on this list, the reason I chose these three is that many of their films focus on people and their stories as opposed to explosions, excitement, special effects and glitz. These countries are producing wonderful films about people.

"Like Father, Like Son" is a wonderful example of these films about real people. Director Hirokazu Koreeda helms this thought-provoking film about two families that are thrown into chaos when they learn that their sons were switched at birth. In such a case, which child would you keep? This is the big question in the film at first. However, the film is about far more than this dilemma--and that is why I love this movie. Instead, the film really is about a man's journey from a cold, corporate over-achiever to becoming more human as a result of this tragedy. I could say more but think you should just see the film yourself. It has a lot to say about a lot of things--such as what constitutes good parenting. My advice--just see this film and see what messages it has--there are plenty and the film is an interesting critique about Japanese life and childhood. Wonderful and well worth your time.