Nice little film

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2005)

"Lost in Translation" a film about two strangers who meet and form an unlikely bound and friendship; the film stars are played by comic genius Bill Murray (Bob Harris) and the charismatic rising young actress Scarlett Johansson (Charlotte). Bob is a washed up actor who was once a famed celebrity, but now he's stuck doing commercials in various places, for the film he's sent to Japan (he seems to be famous there). Bob is pretty much bored the moment he arrives in Tokyo, he has nothing in common with anyone, thus doesn't talk much. He does however have several humorous encounters with citizens, which never end well thanks to the language barrier. Charlotte on the other hand, is a recently married young woman who's accompanying her photographer husband on a work related trip, which happens to be Tokyo, Japan. She like Bob is also bored in this new foreign environment and she spends most of her time moping around the hotel bedroom. All this changes though with the eventual meet between Bob and Charlotte where they click right away. Despite the age gap they seem to get along and understand each other. They are both American after all. Thus, both Charlotte and Bob spend the rest of the film exploring the city visiting strip clubs, dance clubs and bars. Their excursions have a positive effect on them since they learn to appreciate the Japanese city life and for moments they forget about all their problems.
The film takes time getting used too and a second viewing is beneficial as well; the first time I saw it I was a bit bored, since I was expecting a hilarious romp like so many critics promised. The film has some humorous moments with the language and culture gap between the American leads and the Japanese extras, but it's really more of a nice drama that explores human loneliness and boredom. The two leads are miserable and lonely characters whose desperation and misery brings them together. They have long conversations about their life and try to figure out who they really are and the meaning of everything in their lives. It sounds boring, but the film offers things of interest such as the cinematography and the leads subtle performances and chemistry. The cinematography was quite amazing and it in no way made the film seem low budget, which it was with a production budget of 4 million (looks more expensive). The performances were also great. As I already mentioned they were subtle, so they felt real and natural. While watching Bill and Scarlett on screen they made you forget you were observing actors perform they truly became their characters, they felt human, real. I felt like I was viewing a documentary about two people's long friendship. Bill and Scarlett's characters might have just met, but their on screen chemistry really makes you believe they've been friends for a very long time. With the performances realism I ended up caring for them, I felt sympathy for them. I also loved the last good bye between Bob and Charlotte, it was moving and heartbreaking, I empathized with them watching their sad facial expressions and the quiet love they shared which never went beyond a kiss on a cheek.
All in all, I'd say the film is not for everyone, it may be too quiet and subtle for a few people, but I'd suggest a second viewing since the film grows on you thanks to the performances, gorgeous cinematography, upbeat and entertaining soundtrack which set the mood and added a bit of life to the quiet scenes and the leads enchanting chemistry.