Wonderful film that should take the Oscars

Rating: 9/10 (9 January 2004)

This film is quite exquisite, and one of the finest films I've seen for a long time. I couldn't help but compare it to Return of the King - but it's like comparing the Mona Lisa with a 3rd grade scrawl. Where ROTK is clumsy, clanky and overegged this is subtle, classy, sophisiticated.
In one sense, not a lot happens in the movie. In other everything that matters in life does. This is a film above love and loss, about what really matters, about chemistry between two people and the lack of it with others. And it's a very funny commentary on cross-cultural work. The finale contains a quite lovely moment with the question hanging: what did he say to her?
The cinematography is out of this world. It defies words. I came away thinking 'I haven't such genius since Apocalypse Now ... and then remembered who the Director's father is! Hats off to her - this is quite stunningly filmed.
And as for the performances: the two finest leads I've seen since Silence of the Lambs. Bill Murray is outstanding and as for Scarlett Johanssen - wow, what a find! She's an exceptional talent. They both are - really, really, extraordinary perfomances. One of the great love stories on screen.
This is an outstanding movie. I don't suppose anyone at the Academy ever reads reviews from IMDB people, and I doubt they'd care very much, especially at a review by an Englishman. But this film is in a different league to Return of the King. Maybe it's too subtle for Oscar night, but the Academy have had courage recently - the brilliant Adaptation and The Hours being great examples. Will they dare this time? They should - there hasn't been a film as beautiful crafted as this for a long time.