Sleepless in Tokyo

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2004)

By definition, any movie that begins with the shot of a woman's behind is a great movie. Unless it stars a Ron J. and a J. Rage and is directed by a Seymour B... Instead, put Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansonn on screen and Sofia Coppola at the helm and you've got a movie that shines.
Sofia Coppola is neither a prolific film writer nor a very active film director. This is her first film since 1999's The Virgin Suicides. Once again, she makes you stand up and take notice. She must not feel pressured to produce anything on a regular basis. This allows her to polish and work her ideas to perfection, before she unleashes them on an unsuspecting world.
Bob Harris (Murray) is a movie actor who finds himself in Tokyo to work on a publicity campaign for a brand of whisky. Two million dollars' worth of whisky publicity, to be exact. Back home, he's got a wife of 25 years and two children waiting for him. He's jetlagged, he has insomnia and he isn't all happy with his life.
Charlotte (Johansonn) is a semi-abandoned newlywed, stuck in Tokyo while her photographer husband runs around the country, working his craft. She's homesick, she's got insomnia and she doesn't know what to do with her life.
Bob and Charlotte meet. Bob and Charlotte fall in love. Bob and Charlotte live happily ever after. If this was a typical Hollywood movie, that would just about sum up the movie. Fortunately, Coppola's writing is much more intelligent than that.
There is no question that there is tremendous tension between Bob and Charlotte. It is this movie's lifeline. When will something happen between them? How will it happen? Will they regret it afterwards? The slow and intense building of their relationship is fascinating to watch.
I've never been a big fan of Bill Murray, I don't know why exactly. I have seen a few of his movies and they've left a bland taste in my mouth. In this movie, he gives the best performance of his career. He is touching, he is believable and he is funny, without stooping to the level of a Caddyshack or a Meatballs.
Scarlett Johansonn is a gifted actress. At such a young age, she's got an excellent track record, and promises to be one of the best actresses of her generation. And she's cute to boot!
The actors' play is enhanced by the exquisite dialogue. Sample this:
"I'm payed two million dollars to hawk whisky when I could be home doing a play instead. The good news is that the whisky works."
Or:
Lydia (Bob's wife): Bob, should I be worried about you?
Bob: Only if you want to.
Movies such as Lost In Translation are the only indication that there still is some form of intelligence and originality in Tinseltown. I just wish directors and writers would take a cue from Sofia Coppola and make less movies, of better quality.