Sweet and brimming with atmosphere

Rating: 7/10 (24 February 2005)

True to its title, Lost in Translation forgoes writing and dialogue in favor of richly textured photography, carefully selected music, and subtly implied significance.
It works, up to a point. There's only so much you can convey by implication, and this may leave the movie feeling either pretentious or shallow.
That said, there is an undeniable sensitivity to the production. The camera gorges itself on swirls of grainy color, while delicate and precise editing keeps it from being self-absorbed. The musical choices give off all the right cues and frequently carry entire shots.
All in all a beautifully executed mood piece, if timid in its exploration of the underlying themes.