Sometimes films are a form of rehab...

Rating: 8/10 (22 January 2004)

When a touching and poingnant a film as 'Lost In Translation' is made these days, it immediately faces tow big challenges.
The self-proclaimed film 'conosieurs' out there may sweep it aside as too "mainstream" for its subject matter to be taken seriously; and the casual film goer may not have seen enough Aliens, explosions or Keanu Reeveses in the trailer to warrant a genuine interest. Of course Mr. Murray is there, but only those with a bit of cultural clout in their mix will pay any attention to that fact (more is the pity).
Therein lies the problem. Myself, I was going to watch Tom Cruise (as Tom Cruise) in 'The Last Samurai'; but it wasn't on at the time. So I went to see 'Lost In..' I wish I had chosen it from the start. Apologies to all concerned.
On that day I saw a film that perfectly encaptured the very human emotions that we have all felt - loneliness, rejection, friendship, love and even that weird sensation you get when you arrive in a different time zone - you know, when it all has a sort of cold haze and your eyes feel like they've disconected.
It was such an effortless journey, speckled with subtle and warm humour, that I hardly noticed that it had ended and that there was a tear in my eye. Anybody who leaves this film untouched has not really 'been alive' (either that or they are a pathological killer).
Mr. Murray was his usual amazing 'Ps. Im not really acting' self (which benefitted the film totally) with the rest of the cast as perfect as they could be.
Coppola's script is subtle and well observed and the cinematography is soft and comfortable. It feels as much like the synthetic cosiness of the hotel in the film as it could do. Watch it and see for yourselves.
I would recommend this film in full confidence that if you are 1% human you will enjoy it. As the old saying goes, "you'll laugh, you'll cry" and you will emerge as though all the emotional problems you've ever had (within reason) are put into perspective.
Beautiful. Watch it now.