Overrated Gen-X "Art Film"

Rating: Null/10 (10 October 2003)

What is the viewer supposed to feel? Ok, two people that are lonely because they're in a "strange" place and culture with no common frame of reference - except each others loneliness. And we feel sympathy for them, we understand why "Yale grad" Johannson can't relate to a ditzy blonde American actress her husband introduces her to, why she feels isolated from her husband-photographer who seems to care more about his work and who he shoots than in his wife, we understand Murray is in a mid-life crisis of sorts, alienated from his home life, past his prime acting days and finding himself doing Japanese TV commercials about Whisky, directed by guys who he barely understands. Two strangers, in the night, at a bar, not even trying for stimulating conversation but just recognizing the common denominators in their sadness. They bond, go out, they dance, sing, and drink for a night or two. They come home. Look out, things are getting deep, or are they? Sounds like a story that happens all the time actually. And of course, this being an intellectual relationship, there ain't gonna be no sex here! Oh no, that'd be too low-brow, and what the heck, Murray's nobody's idea of a hunk anyway and too old for Johannson by any stretch of the imagination (none).
Ok, maybe I don't "get it"...hopefully it's not another one of those "you have to get it" type movies, because usually the folks who "get it" can't even agree on why they do get it (but there's always safety in numbers I suppose) or can't put it into words. I have to admit, the ending was emotional, but it's not enough in my opinion to rocket this film up into "top 100" films of all times, or whatever some might be suggesting. It's just not that deep, sorry. In fact, the only thing that saved film this film from being an exercise in boredom is the talented and beautiful Scarlett Johansson, and the backdrop of the hustle and bustle of Japanese city life, which is cool to watch on its own. And I do give Murray a lot of credit for involving himself in films like this, and encouraging younger film producers, directors, etc, to do their own stuff.
Overall this film is worth seeing if, like me, you like watching interesting movie set locations, or if you're a fan of Scarlett Johannson.