First off, I'll say that it's probably going to take some time for it all to sink in...
Second off, I will say this. Do NOT go see this if you're expecting the old Bill Murray. It's not a comedy. It's not a drama...it's just something... :P
A very silent movie...You won't find one 'action scene', arguement or stunt in Lost in Translation. What you'll experience is a candid look into two characters, despite their age difference, going through very similar things (incredibly lonely, confused...and questioning who they're married too). Luckily, they find eachother in their Tokyo hotel lounge and spend the next 3 days together. What you get is some kind of strange chemistry where silence is appreciated and a simple smile...well, makes you smile.
Murray along with Scarlet Johansen (best known for her work in Ghost World) are awesome and I'd love to see them both nominated for Academy Awards this year......the various shots of Tokyo are breathtaking...The soundtrack was perfect (you get to hear Murray do alittle Costello ala Karaoke!) I think I loved this movie for all that it wasn't.
Just my rambled thoughts. If you appreciate a good independent movie, then this is a must-see. But again, just don't expect the old Bill Murray recipe that we all love...
I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts if you choose to see it.
Joel
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Pug's review:
A film by Sophia Coppola
This is a tough movie to describe because there isn t a whole lot of plot (as we would normally understand plot). There are details that build up the two main characters and illuminate the experiences of Americans temporarily living in Tokyo. On one hand, this was a fairly interesting movie with a great performance by Bill Murray. On the other hand, there wasn t a whole lot going on with this movie.
Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an American actor working on commercials in Japan for a while. He is somewhat estranged from his wife and has not seen his children in a while. While in Tokyo, he meets a much young woman who is staying in the same hotel: Charlotte (Scarlet Johansson). Charlotte s husband works as a photographer and he is gone most of the time. Both Bob and Charlotte are very lonely and feel isolated. They meet, briefly talk and subsequently they keep running into each other. Eventually they begin a friendship and they spend time together both in the hotel as well as out on the town in Tokyo.
The movie deals with the friendship of Bob and Charlotte and touches upon the loneliness they feel (as well as the insomnia they share), and through this friendship we are shown what it is like for an American (who barely speaks the language) to live in Tokyo. We see some of the cultural differences. Some people have said that this film is racist towards the Japanese in its portrayal of the people and the country, but it felt authentic. We know that we aren t seeing the everyday life of the Japanese people but rather how two random Americans may encounter some of the Japanese in clubs and hotels. Of course that isn t authentic Japan, but it is an authentic experience. Sophia Coppola wrote the screenplay and she is very gentle with the Japanese people, so I guess that I don t quite understand the accusations of racism and cultural prejudice.
This is Coppola s second film and while I feel that this is a much stronger film than The Virgin Suicides, I wasn t as impressed as I felt I should be. The critical reviews were nearly unfailing positive and glowing, but I felt like something was lacking. Lost in Translation (the title alludes to how with a cultural and language difference, some things get lost in translation) was a good movie, but because the lack of focus in the plot/story, I found it difficult to really get into it. I was impressed with the work of both Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson, and I appreciate the film a bit more the more I think about it, but I just can t manage to get excited about this movie .and that knocks it down a star.
A film by Sophia Coppola
This is a tough movie to describe because there isn t a whole lot of plot (as we would normally understand plot). There are details that build up the two main characters and illuminate the experiences of Americans temporarily living in Tokyo. On one hand, this was a fairly interesting movie with a great performance by Bill Murray. On the other hand, there wasn t a whole lot going on with this movie.
Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an American actor working on commercials in Japan for a while. He is somewhat estranged from his wife and has not seen his children in a while. While in Tokyo, he meets a much young woman who is staying in the same hotel: Charlotte (Scarlet Johansson). Charlotte s husband works as a photographer and he is gone most of the time. Both Bob and Charlotte are very lonely and feel isolated. They meet, briefly talk and subsequently they keep running into each other. Eventually they begin a friendship and they spend time together both in the hotel as well as out on the town in Tokyo.
The movie deals with the friendship of Bob and Charlotte and touches upon the loneliness they feel (as well as the insomnia they share), and through this friendship we are shown what it is like for an American (who barely speaks the language) to live in Tokyo. We see some of the cultural differences. Some people have said that this film is racist towards the Japanese in its portrayal of the people and the country, but it felt authentic. We know that we aren t seeing the everyday life of the Japanese people but rather how two random Americans may encounter some of the Japanese in clubs and hotels. Of course that isn t authentic Japan, but it is an authentic experience. Sophia Coppola wrote the screenplay and she is very gentle with the Japanese people, so I guess that I don t quite understand the accusations of racism and cultural prejudice.
This is Coppola s second film and while I feel that this is a much stronger film than The Virgin Suicides, I wasn t as impressed as I felt I should be. The critical reviews were nearly unfailing positive and glowing, but I felt like something was lacking. Lost in Translation (the title alludes to how with a cultural and language difference, some things get lost in translation) was a good movie, but because the lack of focus in the plot/story, I found it difficult to really get into it. I was impressed with the work of both Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson, and I appreciate the film a bit more the more I think about it, but I just can t manage to get excited about this movie .and that knocks it down a star.
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I finally rented this movie this weekend and I have to say I am thoroughly and completely impressed. The cinematopraphy is breathtaking, the performances by Johansson and Murray are incredibly powerful and moving, showing true skill in acting without the use of too many words.
I love how the theme of a meaning being 'lost in translation' transcends the Japanese-English language barrier to present itself in some form in almost every scene, from communicating with spouses, to mis-interpreting someone's intention, etc. I've never seen a theme so subtly pervasive yet effective.
I HIGHLY recommend.
I love how the theme of a meaning being 'lost in translation' transcends the Japanese-English language barrier to present itself in some form in almost every scene, from communicating with spouses, to mis-interpreting someone's intention, etc. I've never seen a theme so subtly pervasive yet effective.
I HIGHLY recommend.
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My wife and I watched this last night. We did not really get the point of the movie. It kind of dragged on and on. Although Murrary deserved a nomination for his acting. He was supberb. I found it interesting how much the Japanese are trying to assimilate American culture, even with their looks.
Movie for me 1 out of 6 bullets.
Movie for me 1 out of 6 bullets.
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