How to fall in love with characters? (spoiler)

Rating: 9/10 (26 September 2004)

There are but a few movies that really leave me dazed. It is this film, 'Lost in Translation', that (since quite some time) made me think about the importance of characters and their internal communication. A question rises while evaluating this movie: is the charm of this movie product of the script or the actors? Or is it both? Maybe neither? The beauty of this film is the setting in another country and another culture. Man is accustomed to look for familiar bits and pieces, when he or she is put in unknown surroundings. Bill Murray, who plays an unforgettable role, seeks just a little recognition and affection when everything he does is misunderstood and uncomprehended. He finds it in the beautiful Charlotte (Johansson). The openings scene, where Charlotte is pictured all alone is confronting, but showing us the atmosphere of the film: alienation and growing lonelier when facing unknown settings. This is the reason why 'Lost in Translation' isn't a comedy. Hell no! The main theme, in my view, is communication. The problem is the fact that were dealing with two sexes and that loneliness can be pretty hard to handle. So the inevitable consequence is love? Not entirely, I'd call it friendship. Helping each other through a period they both don't want to be in. But then again, now they've met each other... Coppola made a beautiful movie, that puts the characters in the centre. And that is what should happen more in movies nowadays: it's not about the story, really, it's about falling in love with the characters.
Five of five... 'nuff said.