Translated perfectly

Rating: Null/10 (30 January 2004)

Rating: ***** (out of *****)
I'm undoubtedly with the majority in declaring Lost in Translation to be one of the best films of the year. Yet I believe that I should point out a few things to viewers beforehand. Lost in Translation is NOT 100% uplifting, melodramatic or remotely formulaic. But Lost in Translation IS melodic, atmospheric, comedic, dark, sometimes depressing, and realistic. Above all, Lost in Translation is a thoroughly successful character study. I credit the Academy for nominating daring material like this for Best Picture.

You might not be totally sure what to think of the film the moment you finish seeing it. However, a little thought afterwards will make it clear that the film does indeed have several "hidden depths" - which will make the film worth seeing at least a second time. The atmosphere, characters and philosophising - in fact, everything - seems so real. It's no wonder many critics have loved this film.
I was reminded of several very good/excellent films when watching this. Lost In Translation is as quirky as any film in the mould of Being John Malkovich mould. Scarlett Johansson's character, Charlotte, sometimes dropped some wit that could have come from the mouth of Ghost World's Rebecca. It shares many of the strengths of Donnie Darko, but unlike that film, never slips into excessive weirdness. And, for about half its running length at least, it is as dark and unconventional as fare such as Dirty Pretty Things (which I admit I may have underrated). You can even see it as a satire on film and television, if you choose.
Bob Harris (Bill Murray), an actor now past his best, has gone out to advertise whisky in Tokyo. He's rather worn down by the constraints of family life. It so happens that a young lady named Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is also in Tokyo, with her photographer husband John (Giovanni Ribisi). As John is constantly at work throughout the day, this leaves Charlotte bored. A chance meeting between Bob and Charlotte leads to eventual bonding, but what next?
Lost in Translation can act as an alternative option for those who don't want to visit Middle Earth again, or for those looking for an antidote to the over-sentimental love stories found in films such as Love Actually. A warning, though; Lost in Translation requires your constant attention. And during the slower parts, some people may find that difficult. But they won't regret it in the long term.
Not one bit of film is wasted. Credit here must go to both writer/director Sofia Coppola (making only her second film after The Virgin Suicides) and cinematographer Lance Acord (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation), whose shots of Tokyo are especially stunning. The camerawork and music are as helpful at setting moods as the dialogue is.
I actually think that the Coens' Intolerable Cruelty could have attained this standard had it taken more risks and included less slapstick humour. Every time you expect Coppola to go for too easy laughs, she resists (with one exception, perhaps, but the payoff's so good you don't care).

The hype suggests that Bill Murray is at his best ever in this film, and while I can't make that claim (I haven't seen all his films) I can say that I have never seen him submerge himself in character like he does here, not even in Groundhog Day. We do see his fun side, of course, but those who have only seen his comedies may be a little surprised. Johansson, meanwhile, not only looks incredible but more than equals the level of Murray's performance (why was she ignored at the Oscars?). I should also mention Anna Faris (best known for the Scary Movies), who, as a blonde bimbo, is better than you would expect her to be.
What's most striking about Lost in Translation is that Hollywood influence is almost undetectable (and yes, this is a very good thing). There is no doubt that with this film, Coppola has taken what she learnt from The Virgin Suicides and moved to the next level. Whether you end up loving Lost in Translation or not, it will leave its mark on you.