Lost in Translation (2003)

Genre

Drama

Director

Sofia Coppola

Country

USA | Japan

Cast

Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris, Fumihiro Hayashi, Akiko Takeshita, François Du Bois, Takashi Fujii, Hiromix

Storyline

Well-known American actor Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is in Tokyo to shot a commercial for a Japanese whiskey. Spending most of his non-working hours at his hotel bar, he meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), the young wife of a visiting photographer (Giovanni Ribisi).

Opinion

After "The Virgin Suicides", Sofia Coppola strikes back, and proves that blood will out. Not a love story, not a comedy, but a story of a brief moment of life, Lost in Translation is a charming, melancholic, slow, moving film that perfectly captures loneliness, and although not much happens, it is worth the time of a watch, or two. 

Sofia Coppola's choice of shooting entirely in sequence in order to get Murray and Johansson know each other at the same time of their character is successful, and the result is brilliant. 

The film is down-to-earth, and allows you to relate to the characters, Bob and Charlotte. Both of them are dealing with a life crisis, and searching for their lost souls. The romance/love affair between Bob and Charlotte, for once in cinema, is not physical, but about souls and minds.

The photography by Lance Acord is stunning, the bright colours evoke the spiritual awakening of the characters, and the Japan-pop music perfectly fits the film.

This film is also the highlight of Bill Murray's career. He gives his strongest performance ever, perfectly playing a middle-aged and depressed guy. Also, his voice is amazing, and he proves when singing Bryan Ferry's "More Than This". However, Scarlett Johansson is the stand-out. She is stunning, and convincing in her role - I wonder what happened to her.

Quotes

Charlotte: I just don't know what I'm supposed to be.
Bob: You'll figure that out. The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.

Charlotte: Let's never come here again because it would never be as much fun.