Tokyo as art

Rating: Null/10 (22 September 2003)

What else can be said that has not already? Â‘Lost in Translation' is a beautiful film. Director Coppola must have fallen in love with the Japanese culture, because I do not remember ever seeing such high respect paid to a foreign culture by an American director. The life and spirit of Tokyo is captured on film in a way that only someone in awe of the culture could have done. So much is said in this film through subtle, everyday moments: shots of Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) walking through a Japanese arcade, or watching a traditional wedding. Japan is unique and beautiful from Charlotte's perspective. The other end of the spectrum is Bob Harris. Harris (Bill Murray) is a perfect example, unfortunately, of many Americans as they travel overseas: selfish and showing no interest in learning why the culture is different, focusing only on the fact that it is. Through the eyes, of Charlotte, however, he's able to find beauty in Karaoke and learns to love Sushi, things he probably could not have imagined doing before meeting her. More importantly though, through her eyes he is able to truly be happy. Their relationship is not one of lust, simply an understood friendship that neither of them wants to end. Murray and Johansson are perfect together, and the supporting cast is spot on in every scene. Coppola is a powerful director, and seems to keep getting better. Cancel plans if you have to, but see this movie while it's in the theaters. Rating: 38/40