All those things that are better left unsaid

Rating: 8/10 (25 January 2004)

And so, with Lost in Translation, cinema audiences are presented with the first hotly tipped film of 2004. As with many that have gone before it, this film will benefit mostly from extremely strong word of mouth  and I, for one, will be helping it along in this advertising strategy as this is a deeply interesting and accomplished piece of work.
In the unlikely pairing of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Coppola brings out some fantastic on-screen chemistry and some truly touching moments. As Charlotte puts her head on Bob's shoulder outside a truly bizarre karaoke bar, we can feel two people truly connect with one another  even though nothing is said between them. The same applies to the remarkable scene where Bob puts a over-partied Charlotte to bed, clearly contemplating what would happen if he made his move  again, without saying a word.
The touching silences show that this is a film that places the utmost importance not on what is said, but what is not said and what is better left unsaid. Both protagonists are in clearly complex stages in their lives, yet Coppola leaves the audience to judge for themselves  not to have the characters spell it out for them. This is just part of the minimalist approach that the film adopts  with long shots and long silences. The minimalism of the film represents the emptiness that the characters feel in such a foreign city as Tokyo  and the culture shock is shown by the juxtaposition of this minimalism with the busy metropolis that is Japanese culture.
This is a fine, fine film and well worth a first, if not a second and a third, viewing. Fantastic performances all round with masterful direction  highly recommended.
8/10