Lost in Admiration

Rating: Null/10 (12 August 2004)

I am a fan of action pictures as well as romantic comedy and I have never seen anything to rival this film for the manner with which it portrays love. The sheer exhilaration of how the leads make you believe they have profound feelings for one another was breathtaking. Sofia Coppola has helped me understand why so many of us have loved Bill Murray for all these years and how Scarlett Johansson has already reached a stunning level of proficiency: a true natural.
The splendid cinematography, real street feel and brilliant comedy of Bill Murray helped make this a masterpiece but the tour de force is within the relationship shared by Bob and Charlotte.
I have great pity for those who don't get this film. ( If you don't fall in love with Charlotte as she karaokes "Brass in Pocket", along with numerous other beguiling scenes, I'm afraid you may be dead already.) It is one thing to not like something for not touching you but quite another to say that thing is not good simply because you do not like it. I find the negative reviews are vehement precisely BECAUSE people seem to perceive a lack within themselves for NOT liking or getting it.
I like my stories simple and am not an artsie type but this film was a joy and a relief in its celebration of that which makes life worthwhile......the unpredictable and deeply moving notion of pure, soul-reviving, transparent love.