A Fabulous Movie

Rating: 9/10 (10 June 2005)

I hope that anyone who has not seen this movie was not been discouraged by the comment above. This person obviously cannot appreciate quality films considering he bashed both 'Lost In Translation' and 'American Beauty' in the same post.
Just because a movie is dry and does not have overly dynamic characters that does not make it a bad movie. 'Lost In Translation' has very beautiful and unique cinematography and has a refreshingly realistic plot. Two Americans, who are very different, find a common bond through their awkward feelings in a foreign country. Bill Murray portrays an American actor who is hired by the Suntory company in Japan to advertise liquor. He does not assimilate very well into the Japanese culture and finds himself alone, until he meets Scarlett Johansson. Johansson is a newleywed who is being dragged to Japan by her photographer husband who constantly leaves her on her own. The two meet in the hotel bar and continue to experience the country in many hilarious ways.
Even though the movie is mainly set in a hotel that does not stop it from having great scenes. The hotel itself, the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is one of the most beautiful hotels in the world.
The director's portrayal of the Japanese culture and people stayed very true to what it is actually like. I have visited Japan and my grandparents are Japanese so I can state this and have experience to back it up. Anyone who has visited would be able to sympathize with the character's inability to sleep from jet lag and the character's surprise to how different the culture really is. We may find the situations stereotypical but that does not necessarily mean they are untrue or patronizing to the Japanese people. I believe the director was just trying to make the film as realistic as possible. Which is a respectable action, to me.
Not everyone will like this movie because there are many people who cannot even begin to understand what a good movie really is, but if you enjoy dry humor, Japanese culture, and / or Bill Murray this film will definitely end up being one of your favorites.