Hotel rooms seem to do this to you...

Rating: 9/10 (12 October 2004)

The first thing everyone does upon entering a hotel room is to check out the scenery. The second thing has to be a thorough inspection of the bathroom. It's the third thing that captures the soul and spirit of Lost In Translation.
Where are you? Why are you there? Can you manage there? Does the reason for you being there represent YOU in any way? It doesn't matter if you like being there, it doesn't matter if you feel at home or comfortable there. All that matters is that you're there! Whenever you walk out of your hotel it feels as if you're leaving some sort of certainty behind.
Bob and Charlotte have certainly been through this. They both acknowledged the fact that the 'surrogate home' they're living in is but that: a 'surrogate home'. They both long for recognition, for something that seems real, real enough to be something they can relate to.
But, alas, Tokyo is NOT a 'forgive-and-forget' kind of metropolis. It comes with an extended user-manual. If you don't speak the native language it's a cruel place to be in.
Never mind that, Bob and Charlotte eventually 'find each other'. Together they conquer the difficulties of an unknown and thus hostile city and make the best of it. I only need to refer to the soundtrack to tell you what it's like.
This movie is absolutely amazing! There's no question that you'll love the lead roles, the tightness of the relationship brought forth here. It all feels so genuine, so life-savingly, so important! This truly is a piece of art! And the soundtrack only adds to the feeling of alienation, followed by a sense of relieve. For psychologically, this must be one of the best feel-good buddy movies ever!