One Of The Decades Best.

Rating: 10/10 (1 December 2018)

Across this feature a beautiful narrative of friendship, loneliness and love unravels across the hectic array of Tokyo, driven by Sofia Coppola's masterful directing and Bill Murray's and Scarlet Johansson's career defining performances.
The beauty of this film is so beyond others, the simple colouration done on classic film feels so sincere, and yet, delivers on the loneliness and then later the love, and caring that develops between the two main characters. The clever cinematography delivers the foreign dynamic, the wonder and bemusement of an entire wold lost in translation, yet being in the middle of it. This immersion is on a level that only few films ever could achieve.
This films beauty stretches to its heartfelt screenplay, which characterises its figures so successfully, so clearly and delivers upon their lives complexities and worries so masterfully. A wonderful story, though some may say it meanders, I truly understand and grow to care for the characters more deeply, and thus in my opinion it strengthens the feature. The screenplay also delivers upon the initial awkwardness, when shot in tandem with the cinematography, the tone for each scene is display and inferred enough for the audience to immerse in the emotions more deeply than in other films.
The acting is truly of the highest league. Bill Murray has even said this was his favourite performance. Together, coupled with the beautiful screenplay, Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray have such a sweet, colourful and loving chemistry that clearly shines through into the final product. Theres so many scenes to display this combination, what comes to my mind most is the scene following the party where Charlotte leans her head on Bob, and the final scene between the two. In addition to this, Giovanni Ribisi is fantastic as always, and the rest of the supporting cast deliver upon their characteristic functions to the plot, in the upmost quality.
Unlike many post 2000 films, the music in this film is truly of remembrance, the slow guitar and quiet melodies and motifs that repeat and develop throughout the scenes truly compliment the feature. The music does not dictate the emotion, this is up to the audience, it acts as a vehicle to stratify whatever emotion the viewer feels in the scene. This is a highly uncommon achievement, which is worthy of great praise.
This film evokes different thoughts and responses from all people, as it has a mature subject, children would not enjoy it. But I feel very personally about this film and truly it holds a special place in my heart as one of my favourite films. Due to its beauty, decorum and truly pure craft.
Despite this, no film is without flaw. On the subject of meandering, some scenes were executed to near perfection, however on some but not all repeat viewings certain scenes lack the same impact, particularly in the first half of the film, though the later scenes grow in their meaning and emotion upon repeat viewings.
Overall, I truly love this film and give it a very high 9/10.