Lost in Translation Review

Rating: Null/10 (17 October 2013)

Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation stars Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, and Giovanni Ribisi. This drama, comedy takes place in 2003 in Tokyo, Japan and uses differences in cultures to really set it apart from American movies.
The story builds as viewers are introduced to Bob Harris (Murray), a once big time American movie star who recently had to take a job sponsoring Japanese whiskey. Understandably shaken by the confusion of Tokyo, Bob spends his nights at the bar at the hotel where he meets Charlotte (Johansson), a much younger girl who shows an unusual display of interest in him. Charlotte is married to John (Ribisi) who has become consumed with his work as a photographer and just isn't the person Charlotte had married, two years earlier. Charlotte plays the part of the traditional housewife who lays around all day while her husband is at work and it seems as though she wants to break out of this role and find something more for herself. Bob isn't short of dissatisfaction in his life either, as his wife doesn't seem to have any interest in him anymore, as his career has declined. Unhappy in their marriages these two unlikely people develop a quick friendship that could possibly turn into something more.
Murray's acting in this film is different than anything viewers have seen him do before. Viewers see the more serious side of Murray in Lost in Translation, which strays from the comedic role he normally plays. Murray's character has an extremely dry sense of humor and a very laid back attitude. It's almost as though the entire movie is shot with everyone in a daze and it gives the feel that these two possible lovebirds are looking for more out of their lives.
The fact that the film is shot in Japan and there is so much hustle and bustle going on around Bob and Charlotte worked perfectly. It allows the two of them to find each other in a sea of confusion and makes the audience focus mainly on the story at hand. The American viewers don't know what's going on in the background, therefore drawing their attention to what they do understand and it gives a feel for the culture shock that Bob and Charlotte are experiencing.
Overall this movie is very different from most American dramas or comedies. The final scene is completely the opposite of what we as an American audience expect and if viewers want to see something out of the box I would highly recommend this film.