Lost in Translation (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
All is not lost for our protagonists in 'Lost in Translation', a comedy directed by Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides). Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is a fifty-something yr. old American movie star who is in Tokyo filming a whiskey commercial. He's stuck in a stale marriage & has forgotten one of his kids' birthdays. He's jet-lagged, tired, depressed, & a lonely insomniac; he appears to be in a sort of mid-life crisis. Being in Tokyo means nothing to him. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is a twenty-something yr. old woman who's in Japan with her photographer husband, John (Giovanni Ribisi). They've been married for 2 years, and yet, the marriage is already stale. She doesn't quite know who she married. It appears that Charlotte's presence as wife-in-tow is in the way of John's career. She is a tired, confused insomniac on a business trip with her husband. Being in Tokyo means nothing to her. Both she and Bob are in their own self-miseries. They're staying in the same hotel, meet in the hotel bar, and find comfort in each other as human beings; not as tag-along wife or tired movie star.
This film is a comedy because Coppola never lets the audience feel as hopeless as these 2 characters appear to be. There are some hysterical laugh-out-loud moments. One involves a Japanese director trying to explain to Bob, in so many words, that he needs to feel emotion as he speaks his line about whiskey. Bob gets 'lost in the translation' of what he is saying & mocks the director; hysterical. In another scene, a hooker is sent up to Bob's hotel room and asks him to 'lip' her stockings off. Again, he is lost in translation of what she is trying to say to him through her abysmal English accent. Really, the movie can be classified as a drama, but it is much more successful as a comedy. And the ending is ambiguous, left open for the audience. I love that the audience can make their own mind up about what Bob whispers into Charlotte's ear. Their interaction on the street is almost lighthearted in the end. Sofia Coppola keeps this from being a 'heavy' film.
Bill Murray is absolutely fantastic in this role. I love how he looks completely unconventional in the movie star role, and yet totally led us to believe that he was anything but by his demeanor & interactions. He IS Bob Harris. Relative newcomer Scarlett Johansson is extremely impressive & believable in the 'wife that was left behind' role. To escape the city life of Tokyo (closely resembling her hometown, NYC), she listens to some Japanese Monks recite a traditional chant. She feels nothing. She's depressed that she can't escape the monotony of city life, her weak marriage, or enjoy something as natural & respectful as this chant. We felt her pain as she talks on the phone to a friend through tears. She displays boredom & misery beautifully.
Bob & Charlotte's relationship is filmed impeccably. I like the minimalistic dialogue. This gives a lot of importance to the actions of the characters & not necessarily what they were saying. I love Coppola's editing style & use of shots to depict these 2 characters in their own world. They explore Tokyo to find interest & real meaning in life ... but they find each other. It's also refreshing to watch a film where the 2 main characters do not engage in any sexual activity to showcase their relationship. These 2 complete strangers in this far away land were able to connect & find an understanding of one another. I love how the film captures their week together & makes it so personal and so important for the audience to see. While the film is not overly exciting, it's definitely intriguing & thought-provoking. I thoroughly enjoy this film and will continue to analyze its scenes in my head for quite a while.
This film is a comedy because Coppola never lets the audience feel as hopeless as these 2 characters appear to be. There are some hysterical laugh-out-loud moments. One involves a Japanese director trying to explain to Bob, in so many words, that he needs to feel emotion as he speaks his line about whiskey. Bob gets 'lost in the translation' of what he is saying & mocks the director; hysterical. In another scene, a hooker is sent up to Bob's hotel room and asks him to 'lip' her stockings off. Again, he is lost in translation of what she is trying to say to him through her abysmal English accent. Really, the movie can be classified as a drama, but it is much more successful as a comedy. And the ending is ambiguous, left open for the audience. I love that the audience can make their own mind up about what Bob whispers into Charlotte's ear. Their interaction on the street is almost lighthearted in the end. Sofia Coppola keeps this from being a 'heavy' film.
Bill Murray is absolutely fantastic in this role. I love how he looks completely unconventional in the movie star role, and yet totally led us to believe that he was anything but by his demeanor & interactions. He IS Bob Harris. Relative newcomer Scarlett Johansson is extremely impressive & believable in the 'wife that was left behind' role. To escape the city life of Tokyo (closely resembling her hometown, NYC), she listens to some Japanese Monks recite a traditional chant. She feels nothing. She's depressed that she can't escape the monotony of city life, her weak marriage, or enjoy something as natural & respectful as this chant. We felt her pain as she talks on the phone to a friend through tears. She displays boredom & misery beautifully.
Bob & Charlotte's relationship is filmed impeccably. I like the minimalistic dialogue. This gives a lot of importance to the actions of the characters & not necessarily what they were saying. I love Coppola's editing style & use of shots to depict these 2 characters in their own world. They explore Tokyo to find interest & real meaning in life ... but they find each other. It's also refreshing to watch a film where the 2 main characters do not engage in any sexual activity to showcase their relationship. These 2 complete strangers in this far away land were able to connect & find an understanding of one another. I love how the film captures their week together & makes it so personal and so important for the audience to see. While the film is not overly exciting, it's definitely intriguing & thought-provoking. I thoroughly enjoy this film and will continue to analyze its scenes in my head for quite a while.