Lost in Translation
“Lost in Translation” is one of those rare films that come along that reflects what life is really like. The central themes behind “Translation” are finding what you want for your self and also accepting the fact that we ourselves do need someone else in our life. For Sophia Coppola (Virgin Suicides) “Lost in Translation” is her successful sophomore film that is a blend of drama, romance and a little comedy.
“Lost in Translation” is about Bob Harris (Bill Murray) a down and out fading movies star who is in Tokyo to cash in on past glory by endorsing a certain brand of whiskey. Bob ends up at the hotel bar where he meets Charlotte (Scarlet Johansson) where they have a brief but interesting conversation. In contrast to Bob who has 25 years of marriage behind him, Charlotte is a newlywed who is now having second thoughts about the distant husband that she married. The two end up realizing that they enjoy each others company and eventually begin seeking each other out.
Bill Murray gives the best performance of his career as Bob who is lonely, sad and on the down side of his career. There are times in “Lost in Translation” where Bob is genuinely funny however; Murray never leaves character and never once tries to push the comedy over the top. Opposite Bill Murray is Scarlet Johansson who is perfectly cast and gives a real true performance of what someone in her situation would be feeling. Charlotte never pushes Bob and never flirts sexually with him but instead looks at who Bob really is and not who he once was.
The direction by Sophia Coppola is perfect. Coppola never once forgets what she is trying to do with the film and never tries to sugarcoat or manipulate the viewer. Coppola also manages to work around the fact that there is a huge age difference between Bob and Charlotte which never comes into question once. Coppola also successfully creates chemistry between Bob and Charlotte and gives a very good impression of what happens during the beginning phases when two people first meet. Hopefully Coppola will be strongly considered for this year’s Best Director Award as well as for her screen writing talent. Whether she wins either award remains to be seen as there are other strong candidates in the category.
“Lost in Translation” also gives a good look at what life in Tokyo is really like. From the Manhattan like downtown strip to the video games parlors or high rise karaoke booths, “Lost in Translation” captures the essence of the culture without spending too much time do so.
*Possible Spoiler Ahead*
While watching “Lost in Translation” it becomes increasingly clear that both Bob and Charlotte do enjoy each others company and it also becomes evident that both of them need each other. Where most films dramas or romantic films dive right into the obvious conclusion, “Lost in Translation” takes it time to eventually get where Coppola wants the film to go. For most of the film, one is not sure what may come when the two have to depart but “Lost in Translation” is better than most. The film really leaves the viewer with a decision of their own to make at the end. Bob naturally seeks out and finds Charlotte and as he hugs her, he says something to her in her ear. What he said might have been along the lines of “I love you” or “See you back at the hotel” or perhaps something like “To bad we could not have met earlier” or “just imagine what could have been”. Well whatever Bob had said to Charlotte at near the conclusion is for them to know. For us the viewer, we should take away with us the fact that “yes” Bob and Charlotte do need and what each other but for whatever they decide between the two of them is their decision and we (the audience) should give Bob and Charlotte their privacy.
From Focus Pictures
105 mins
PG
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