Second only to The Lord of the Rings, this is the best movie of the year!

Rating: 10/10 (19 February 2004)

"Lost in Translation" is Sofia Coppola's second film. Her first was 1999's "The Virgin Suicides", which was a really great film...but it was super depressing, and didn't really make one want to watch it again. Her second film, on the other hand, is a masterwork of inspiring romance, drama and comedy. The story centers on Bob Harris (Bill Murray), a fading B-movie star who meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young woman while the two are staying at the same hotel for a few weeks in Japan.
Everything about this movie is wonderfully beautiful. The acting, the locations, the writing, the cinematography, the direction...everything. The story is so subtle in it's brilliance, it teaches a lot about life and love, and everyone should listen.
The acting is also great. Sure, we only really get to know Bob and Charlotte, but Murray and Johansson do so amazingly well. By the end of the movie, you want to cry. The Oscars made a very just decision nominating Murray (hopefully he'll win) and a very unjust one in forgetting Johansson. She goes all out and gets so into character...and really, am I suppose to believe that Diane Keaton did a better job in "Something's Gotta Give"? Maybe if Johansson took her top off...
"Lost in Translation" is the only movie this year that I wouldn't mind if it beat "Lord of the Rings", a great film, I give it two thumbs up, four stars, and 8.5/10.