Lost in Translation (2003)
Everyone wants to be found.
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris, Fumihiro Hayashi, Akiko Takeshita, Catherine Lambert, Yutaka Tadokoro, Nao Asuka, Tetsuro Naka, Ikuko Takahashi
Director: Sofia Coppola
Running Time: 102 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Nobody does jaded quite like Bill Murray. Since his mid-1970s appearances in 'Saturday Night Live', his hang-dog expression and martini-dry delivery have always made him seem cynical beyond his years, and now that he actually is middle-aged, he plays the mid-life crisis like he was born to it, in films like Groundhog Day, 'Cradle Will Rock', and especially the sublime Rushmore.
So once again Murray gets to do what he does best in Sofia Coppola's 'Lost in Translation', where he plays Bob Harris, a washed-up Hollywood actor who is in Japan filming a celebrity endorsement for a brand of whisky, in part because he needs the work, in part to escape the suffocating humdrum of his 25-year marriage to Lydia. Bob is staying in the same Tokyo hotel as Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young ex-student of philosophy who is unsure what to do with her life or whether she has done the right thing in marrying photographer John (Giovanni Ribisi). Unable to sleep in the wee hours of the morning, Charlotte meets Bob in the hotel bar, and their shared dissatisfaction and anxiety quickly becomes the basis of an intense friendship. Charlotte makes Bob feel younger, Bob makes Charlotte feel appreciated, and in an alien environment, at a time of personal crisis, the pair discovers mutual understanding and comfort - until the week is over and it is time to resume their everyday lives.
'Lost in Translation' is about two people who have lost their way, and a brief encounter in the unlikeliest of places which helps them both find their bearings and get back on track. Governed by minute observations of character rather than sweeping events, the film first offers a wry series of parallel vignettes which show Bob and Charlotte in situations where communications have broken down - Bob struggling to comprehend his Japanese handlers and director, Charlotte failing to connect with her husband. It is a good half an hour before a single word is exchanged between Bob and Charlotte, but that moment marks the first meaningful communication that either has had in Japan. From then on they become constant companions, like a couple of intimate lovers, overcoming their alienation and incomprehension precisely by sharing their experience of them.
Bob and Charlotte's slow-burning relationship is evoked with humour and tenderness by Murray and Johansson, whose on-screen rapport, despite the difference in their age, is tangible. Lance Acord's cinematography transforms Tokyo into a strange wonderland, as far from Hollywood as Coppola's contemplative, uncluttered script, which allows its two central characters to develop at a leisurely pace, and ends not with a bang, but a whisper. Coppola's contempt for Hollywood sensibilities is reflected in her satirical treatment of Kelly (Anna Faris), a loud, vapid starlet visiting Japan to promote her latest blockbuster, 'Midnight Velocity' (starring Keanu, naturally).
Seeing Bob and Charlotte's lives changed in 'Lost in Translation' may not exactly change yours too, but it is a smart, stylish portrait of a romance that never quite happens.
It's Got: A Japanese man (Fumihiro Hayashi) singing a brilliantly funny karaoke version of the Sex Pistols' 'God Save the Queen'.
It Needs: To learn Japanese.
Alternatives: 'Brief Encounter', 'In the Mood for Love', 'Casablanca'
Summary: While it may not exactly change your life, 'Lost in Translation' is a smart, stylish portrait of a romance that never happens, with excellent performances and a message delivered in restrained whisper rather than Hollywood shout.
Review Date: 1st March 2004
External Links
Official Web Site
Lost in Translation at the IMDB
Comments9 Comments |
| Over rated and rather dull. 5 out of ten. |
| Comment by:- Dave B | | 27 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| Best movie I have seen in ages 10/10 |
| Comment by:- jack | | 21 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Beautiful film. Humorous and touching. A masterpiece from a budding writer/director/producer. |
| Comment by:- Theou Aegis | | 31 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| This film is one of the wurst films I have seen in my life. I do not understand what you people are talking about when you say that this film is in any way entertaining. I would have preffered it if the video store had put a blank disc in the box rather than having me and my girlfriend spend over an hour on a Saturday night watching a man being alone in a country. I must admit it is a great plot for a movie,a man in a country all alone who meets a girl and they go out for a drink or two. If that sounds like a great plot to you then I think you will love this movie. I feel sorry for those involved in the making of this film and those who enjoyed it, as they seroiusly need help and should feel very ashamed. I am outraged at Bill Murray for participating in such a film. I feel it is the biggest mistake of his career as he delivers great performances in every other film he has been in. There was no acting skills required for the part except to look very bored and I feel that even that would have been easy to pull off with such a script. I cannot believe Bill Murray, a Ghostbuster was involved in such a movie unless he was doing it as part of a bet.I do not think he is done himself any favours as I for one will not be getting his next film, although I do hope he does another great film soon so I can think back to him as being the great actor that he is and I can get this film well and truly out of my memory.I would really like to know what the Japanese people thought of the movie as it doesnt paint a pretty picture of them as being a very friendly bunch which I know they are.The only thing this film has done very well is to get a whole lot of people very angry and disapointed enough so much so that they feel the need to vent there anger by writing a review like I am doing. I must admit I am looking forward to taking the film back as I will be complaining to the video store that this film doesnt have a warning sign on it stating how angry you will be for actualing handing money over for such an appalling movie. I would like to thank movie gazzete for giving me the chance to tell the nation how angry I was about this film. I feel a whole lot better now. Thanks, Alan Timpson |
| Comment by:- Alan Timpson | | 19 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| May I suggest negative rate? The most boring thing I have seen in my life. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 12 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| Appauling, boring, confusing, washed out, fruitless search for something they never found, where do the critics who rate these films live, WALES? There is absolutely nothing of merit in this film apart from Bill Murray and even he can not drag this film from the nether regions of obscurity. He plays the role he has been written well but its such a poor choice of role the film still goes nowhere. I did like the mickey taking out of the US starlet though. |
| Comment by:- Chris Huggett | www.travelrough.com | 30 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| 9/10 The ones who are giving this movie a bad rate doesn't understand the art of making movies .. Just the story .. I think you didn't quite understand the story and the way they are filming it and showing it to us .. Is just great ... So don't know why you should give this movie a bad rate .. If it isn't your genre .. Just don't watch it !! .. It's more a romantic movie with some humorous moments ... So if you don't like that don't watch it and give it bad critics .. this movie is really a damn good movie !! Greetz Fre |
| Comment by:- Fre | | 22 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Alan Timpson needs anger management. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 27 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| I thought it was just over-hyped promotion of Japan and its visual beauty, but it was so much more. I'm short of words so I'll just say go watch it - and be oper-minded. For god's sake, if you're waiting to see a FAST, BLOCKBUSTER-type of hollywood film, this definately isn't for you. |
| Comment by:- Tatu | | 31 December 2004 | ip: logged |
