LOST IN TRANSLATION, 2003
Movie Review

A movie star with a sense of emptiness, and a neglected newlywed meet up as strangers in Tokyo, Japan and form an unlikely bond.

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REVIEW:

Lost In Translation is a an endearingly honest film about struggles and loneliness of modern day living, set in Tokyo. Starring Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte, a young newlywed and Bill Murray as Bob Harris an ageing actor; two people who have both seemingly lost their way in life. Coppola’s alienating and cold Tokyo beautifully portrays the emptiness of urban living which reflects the incompleteness of the characters lives.

This film is as much about the city the characters are in, as the loss of communication in society today. We see Charlotte tearfully calling her friend trying to tell her how a lost she feels, and her friend too distracted to pay any attention, and Bob and his wife only communicating though curt faxes. The city of Tokyo acts as visual representation of the detachment the two main characters feel to world and people around them. Both of them arriving in Tokyo, only feel more separated and out of control from their lives and the world around them in this new city.

We see shots of the characters in the parameters of the hotel with the city landscape behind them. It is as though the characters keep the city at a distance from themselves, unable to connect with the culture and people around them. Tokyo is shown beautifully and subtly, we never see much of it for long periods of time, matching the subtlety of the tone and the narrative.

The city plays a big part in the film in that it forces the characters together, and in the vastness of the city, the culture clash they are able to find each other through a brief encounter that profoundly affects both their lives.

Although many people doubt this film, and write it off as another bland romantic comedy, I feel it has a lot of depth to it, and watching the film again you realise how carefully crafted the film is.

What makes the story believable is the acting, Scarlett Johansson in particular who was relatively unknown when the film was released, really brings depth and lightness to a character who would otherwise be considered stuffy and self-obsessed. Bill Murray is equally impressive, as he manages to bring his usual dry sarcastic humour to his character and yet also make the audience sympathise with the emptiness of his life.

Lost in Translation may be a favourite among women and romantics alike due to its story line, but it is a film that is about finding a connection in the most unlikeliest of places. Yet sets itself apart from other romances by being believable and more importantly relatable. The idea and feeling of being in one of the most vibrant places in the world and not feeling inspired or connected is clearly something audiences can relate to. While it not have the grandeur of a sweeping romance such as the Notebook or be laugh out loud funny like the The Wedding Singer; it is a refreshing and beautifully shot romance that will in time, be up there with the classic romantic films.

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Lost in Translation