One of the best films I've ever seen

Rating: 10/10 (29 April 2005)

I was originally told by my brother that Lost In Translation was a good film after he'd seen it at the pictures. My girlfriend also told me it was enjoyable. However to me the words 'good' and 'enjoyable' aren't enough for a film as magical as this. Somehow, I never got to see it at the cinema but oh how I wish I had.
I eventually got the chance to watch it after my dad brought it home on DVD. I sat on my own and watched a magical piece of work unfold in front of me. I watched it once. I watched it again.
The reason I would have loved to have seen the film at the cinema is due to the vast shots of busy Japanese life contrasted to the serene and peaceful shots that help give the story so much meaning. The work of Sofia Coppola as director must be noted. She had the courage to mix brash and bold scenes with the slower paced shots and in doing so created something very special.
The karaoke scene is one of my favourites. It managed to overpower me in my bedroom on a 12 inch screen so I can only guess that at the cinema I'd have been in awe.
I tend to enjoy a lot of free hand camera work in films and the scenes in the film are magnificently shot. To me the film seemed to contain fast moving scenes that were structured in such a way so they seemed so much longer. Normally if a film drags on without actually having a progressing narrative I'll lose interest, but Lost In Translation makes you sit and take in every inch of detail.
I fell in love with this film and the characters. If you haven't seen this film yet then make sure you do. I accept it won't be for everyone but if you watch it and enjoy it as much as I do then you'll thank me for the recommendation.