Wonderful

Rating: 9/10 (5 August 2004)

What a wonderful and mellow movie this is. Bill Murray is a very nice surprise. His obvious comedic talent, facial expressions and dead-on timing work very well with his slightly morose and jaded character, and Scarlett Johansson's pouty off-center beauty complements his character beautifully. Sofia Coppola has to be complimented with her outstanding cinematography, enabling these characters to stand out among the haze of busy Tokyo. Two people on a lonely raft on a busy and alien river, the eye of the storm, alone and almost condemned to find each other in a strange culture. And it works so well. They are comfortable in their silence, their goofyness and their silly wisecracks. The only other foreigners in the movie are either Germans or Americans playing awful muzak, not worthy of any attention (well, a little bit of physical attention for the 'singer', but regrettably so ..). The fact that they did not get involved (or managed not to get involved), apart from a farewell kiss and a gentle touch, works very well, and is the main driving force and creates the overriding atmosphere in the movie. I loved it, and I'm going to enjoy it many times.
Oh, and anyone who puts My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain in a movie soundtrack (perfect for this occasion) gets a bonus point from me. 9/10.