FBMR - Lost In Translation

Some people I’ve spoken to really didn’t think too much of this movie. I, on the other hand, loved it. It’s a talkie, not too much happens, there’s lots of talk. There are some great little scenes, and it’s more a slice of life than a story-heavy film.

It reminded me of the film BEFORE SUNRISE or a Whit Stillman film. It’s very character driven, even when they don’t say much with their voices, much is being said by their bodies, or simply by their silence.

American film star, Bill Harris (Bill Murray), who has hit a slump, finds himself in Japan to shoot an ad. Charlotte (Scarlett Johannsen), a twenty-something newlywed, finds herself in Japan, accompanying her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi) and gets left on her own when he’s off on a shoot. Neither Bill nor Charlotte can seem to fall asleep, and soon, because of this common ailment, embark on a friendship filled with a sweetness and innocence, and just the right hint of sexual tension. It’s almost like watching two preteens who discover that they like each other, but don’t quite know what to do. As much fun as they have together, I find that they are very careful about what they do and/or say.

Beautifully written and directed by Sofia Coppola, this film was quite clever. Some of Bill Murray’s lines and scenes looked like they were ad libbed (especially the scene with the old person in the hospital waiting room and the two women in the background laughing … whether they were extras and just couldn’t help themselves, or they were told to overhear and react, it made the scene come alive).

I thoroughly enjoyed it! But like I alluded to earlier, it’s not for everyone.


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LOST IN TRANSLATION (2003) ***1/2 Some people I’ve spoken to really didn’t think too much of this movie. I, on the other hand, loved it. It’s a talkie, not too much happens, there’s lots of talk. There are some great little scenes, and it’s more a slice of life than a story-heavy film. It reminded me of the film BEFORE SUNRISE or a Whit Stillman film. It’s very character driven, even when they don’t say much with their voices, much is being said by their bodies, or simply by their silence. American film star, Bill Harris (Bill Murray), who has hit a slump, finds himself in Japan to shoot an ad. Charlotte (Scarlett Johannsen), a twenty-something newlywed, finds herself in Japan, accompanying her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi) and gets left on her own when he’s off on a shoot. Neither Bill nor Charlotte can seem to fall asleep, and soon, because of this common ailment, embark on a friendship filled with a sweetness and innocence, and just the right hint of sexual tension. It’s almost like watching two preteens who discover that they like each other, but don’t quite know what to do. As much fun as they have together, I find that they are very careful about what they do and/or say. Beautifully written and directed by Sofia Coppola, this film was quite clever. Some of Bill Murray’s lines and scenes looked like they were ad libbed (especially the scene with the old person in the hospital waiting room and the two women in the background laughing … whether they were extras and just couldn’t help themselves, or they were told to overhear and react, it made the scene come alive). I thoroughly enjoyed it! But like I alluded to earlier, it’s not for everyone.