Superb

Rating: 10/10 (11 March 2005)

I've seen this film a few times now, and I've been trying to think about what it is about this film that i just adore so much. Truth is, its just one of those films that absolutely everything is admirable about it. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansenn are excellent. They both depict two characters that have come to the proverbial "crossroads of life." The sense of loneliness is enhanced by the wise decision made by Sofia Coppola to not have the two leads actually interact for first half hour. Through their meeting a very suttle and beautiful relationship takes place. Its not a sensual relationship, but it is intimate. And its not really romance. I don't know what it is, but there is something quite captivating about their relationship. Bill Murray's performance is quite similar to that of Phil Connors in 'Groundhog Day,' a man trapped and lonely (although Groundhog DAy obviously takes this notion more literally). The film, shot almost entirely on location by Sofia Coppola, shows a magnificent Tokyo, and the cinematography is often breathtaking, particularly of shots of Scarlett's character walking around the city and its outskirts. Overall its not hard to see why some people would find this film boring. I just loved it. Whatever you do just give it a try, and ignore the whole racist argument. Its really not that a big deal in my opinion.