This 7-Year-Old Crime Movie With 99% on Rotten Tomatoes Led to 1 of the Biggest Oscars Robberies Ever

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The recognition for movies doesn’t stop at the Academy Awards alone. Instead, throughout the year, numerous smaller award ceremonies take place, such as critic-focused events, specialized technical awards, and festivals that grant prizes to movies from that specific year. While these shows are significant in their own right and build up to the grandest of them all – the Oscars – it’s crucial for Academy Award contenders to maintain momentum throughout the entire 365 days leading to this prestigious event. There are several awards that can be won, which could result in a guaranteed nomination for the Academy Awards. One such award is the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

The impressive roster of films that have received the coveted Palme d’Or is far too extensive to enumerate. Ranging from “Black Orpheus” and “M*A*S*H”, through “Taxi Driver”, “Pulp Fiction”, “The Tree of Life”, and all the way to “Parasite”, this prestigious award transcends genre, geography, and mood, honoring only the exceptional movie at the festival. This year, it was bestowed upon a film that later won Best Picture. However, an injustice occurred in 2018 when one of the most renowned Palme d’Or winners of all time wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture.

What is Shoplifters About?

2018 marked the unveiling of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s masterwork, “Shoplifters”, which I had the privilege to witness. This cinematic gem is a testament to Kore-eda’s diverse and nuanced filmography, brimming with poignant and understated dramas that have left an indelible mark on cinema.

Kore-eda, a renowned Japanese director, has etched his name into the annals of film history with his 2023 opus, “Monster”, as well as his 1998 fantastical journey, “After Life”. However, much like the accolades he’s garnered, Kore-eda defies categorization. He has dabbled in various genres, from heartwarming family tales to side-splitting comedies, gripping crime thrillers, and even surreal fantasy films.

For years, Kore-eda stood on the precipice of greatness, and all that experience culminated in 2018 with “Shoplifters”. This film encapsulates his lifelong journey as a storyteller and showcases why he is undoubtedly one of the most versatile and compelling voices in contemporary cinema.

Shoplifters tells the story of a struggling, impoverished family unit formed by society’s outcasts, who navigate life on the edge in Tokyo. Comprised of individuals considered strays and ne’er-do-wells, they subsist through deceit towards their landlord, elaborate small-time theft, and precarious low-wage employment. Despite their dire financial situation, they persist due to their powerful emotional connection with one another.

The movie Shoplifters starts following a shoplifting spree, where a couple named Osamu and Nobuyo encounter a freezing girl named Yuri. They discover her abusive parents have neglected her and left her without food. Despite their own hardships, they choose to welcome Yuri into their family. As time passes, Yuri meets another boy named Shota who’s also been adopted by the family, along with an elderly woman named Aki whom they live with. Yuri becomes a part of this family, and the initial warmth and unity depicted in the film begins. Unfortunately, this harmonious period doesn’t last as the harsh realities of the world catch up to them. Each family member must eventually confront their hidden pasts, leading to cracks that are just as painful as any cinematic heartbreak.

The movie “Shoplifters” can be seen as divided into two distinct parts. Hirokazu Kore-eda skillfully employs subtle emotional drama throughout, creating an atmosphere that initially appears warm and family-oriented before unveiling a hidden world of darkness beneath. At first glance, the film presents itself as a heartwarming family tale, but it soon exposes the shady underworld that the family conceals beneath their floors. Despite its peaceful presentation, “Shoplifters” maintains an exciting edge. Though Kore-eda’s storytelling approach is straightforward and understated, the tension experienced by viewers is far from subtle. This film will captivate a wide range of movie enthusiasts, provoking emotions such as tears, laughter, and fear.

Shoplifters Was Robbed at the Academy Awards

The Academy of Motion Pictures isn’t always spot-on when selecting the best films each year. Famously, Brokeback Mountain lost Best Picture to Crash, and Art Carney’s 1975 Best Actor win over both Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson is another well-known instance. However, these high-profile blunders are just the tip of the iceberg. The Academy has a history of making mistakes that reach back to before the awards ceremony begins, as sometimes, the most deserving contender doesn’t even make it onto the nomination list.

Previously mentioned was the acclaimed film “Shoplifters,” which won the Palme d’Or but missed out on a Best Picture nomination. A point not yet discussed is the underwhelming films that took its place in contention for the award. The year 2018 saw the emergence of Peter Farrelly’s film “Green Book,” which, despite gaining popularity on TikTok, has solidified itself as one of the worst Best Picture winners. The remaining nominees weren’t particularly impressive either. Among the few standouts were Bradley Cooper’s remake of “A Star is Born,” Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite,” and Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman.” However, for every notable contender, there was a disappointing choice.

2018’s Best Picture lineup was completed with films like “Black Panther,” which, though excellent, arguably didn’t merit a Best Picture nomination; “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which left many Queen fans feeling let down and offended; and Adam McKay’s “Vice,” which, despite its noble aims, fell short of its ambitious concept. The weak overall quality of the nominees made it seem likely that “Shoplifters” would receive a nomination, but unfortunately, this wasn’t to be.

At the 91st Academy Awards, although my favorite film, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters,” didn’t make it among the top 10 nominees, it certainly wasn’t overlooked entirely. The movie, which would later be redefined by “Parasite” the following year, lost out to Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma.” This loss might not have been a shock at first, given the buzz surrounding “Roma” on Netflix during awards season, but it is now, in retrospect. While “Roma” seems to be forgotten by today’s film enthusiasts, “Shoplifters” remains a hot topic of conversation. Each time Hirokazu Kore-eda announces his new project, the love for “Shoplifters” resurfaces anew.

Shoplifters Was a Critical Smash

Film director Hiroyuki Kore-eda has consistently enjoyed favorable reviews throughout his career. One of his earliest works, “Maborosi,” released in 1995, boasted a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics. This isn’t just a fluke; Kore-eda’s films frequently receive ratings above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and perform exceptionally well on other review platforms as well. However, there was one aspect missing in the accomplished filmmaker’s repertoire: crime films.

In a departure from his usual subtle storytelling, Kore-eda’s debut crime-focused movie, released in 2017 as The Third Murder, garnered less favorable reviews than his previous works. The film was quite different from the soft-spoken films Kore-eda is known for, and this difference seemed to resonate negatively with critics. Despite earning a ‘certified fresh’ rating of 97% from critics, it only managed a 68% approval rating among audiences, which, in comparison to his esteemed body of work, is quite underwhelming.

IMDb Score Tomatometer Popcornmeter Letterboxd Score
7.9/10 99% 91% 4.3/5

The film “Shoplifters” is heavily influenced by the insights Kore-eda gained during the production of “The Third Murder”. In this 2018 release, he successfully blended the subtle genius of his early works with the dramatic tonal shifts he aimed to master in his first crime movie. As of now, “Shoplifters” has an impressive 99% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and a similarly high 91% rating from viewers.

Although encountering setbacks such as disappointing losses and unsuccessful important nominations, “Shoplifters” remains a significant and culturally resonant achievement within contemporary foreign cinema. This crime drama captivates with its intense plot, rich emotional depth, and deep meaning, and has continued to garner attention since its debut. While the Academy may have underestimated its greatness on multiple occasions, critics have not. Shoplifters demonstrates that movies don’t necessarily require high-end awards to be impactful; however, it certainly is gratifying when they are acknowledged.

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2025-05-27 04:36