Whispering Heights

Rating: 10/10 (22 August 2010)

I admit, I had just finished a relationship, got fired – sort of and had one helluva time with some emotional/financial moments back in late 2003, so it wasn't too hard to attach myself onto one of the most emotionally charged films of all time: Lost in Translation.
Maybe that just opened my eyes and helped me both understand and appreciate the beauty of this masterpiece. It hit all the right moments: from loneliness, to isolation, to comedy, to heart. And all the stars were aligned with the only two actors who could pull off the emotion and the brilliant script as well as direction by Sofia Coppola. The movie's not just centered on washed up actor, Bob Harris (Murray,) but he had to hit every note perfectly. Mission accomplished.
Unfortunately for Mr. Murray, he is the owner of the biggest upset in Oscar history. He lost out on his one Oscar chance for Best Actor, as not only was this the best performance of the year, one of the best ever, it was also his best acting in his long-standing career. (Brokeback Mountain losing Best Picture in 2005 was the second worst Oscar upset next to this, probably because due to the ignorant and homophobic voters, it was almost expected.)
This is not to take away from Scarlett Johansson. This is where I first noticed here and absolutely fell in love. She was ideal and perfect in her role as well. You felt every bit of her anguish and her character, Charlotte's youth versus Bob's experience. She concluded the circle between them: if things don't change, you'll go from A (Charlotte) to B (Bob.)
Bob's been summoned to Tokyo to film a whiskey commercial. He doesn't want to, but he probably doesn't know why he accepted the offer – it doesn't appear he likes to make too many choices. He's just tired. So tired. And we're not talking about insomnia, though, that's on the horizon. In fact, what starts as jet lag ends as a long week of sleeplessness.
You know who also can't sleep? The somewhat equally lost Charlotte, who's staying in the same hotel with her new busy, busy husband. She doesn't know why she married him, but she knows she does love him. She is lost, and it's not so much that he's the problem, but he is the target.
Eventually the two meet and form a bond that both need, to get through a week-long bit of despair. They are truly lost in translation, and are sincerely spiraling out of focus.
During their encounters, or even alone, the script manages to throw in a bunch of comedic moments, mostly from Bill Murray. It's a perfect blend of humor and tragic drama.
I know, if something doesn't change in my life soon, I will end up like Bob Harris. I can see that. He's wildly sarcastic, but I don't think he's trying to be mean. He's just tired, bored and he's finding both humor in his surroundings and he's trying to amuse himself, as if he truly is all alone. Some people don't necessarily find me funny, and that never bothers me when I spout out my own brand of humor. 90% of the time, I'm doing it, just like Bob Harris, to simply amuse myself and relieve the boredom of life around me.
Some might be put off by the pacing of the film, but I loved it. It gave us every bit of a chance to walk in these people's troubled lives, not to mention the fun they were having – but probably wouldn't admit it. I loved the score, the music – "Just Like Honey" by The Jesus & Mary Chain is one of my all time favorites following this and Bill rejuvenated the song "More than This" by 10,000 Maniacs (I didn't grow up on the Roxy Music version) for me.
Furthermore, the cinematography and landscaping, yes, even in the hotel rooms, was wonderful. I've never been to Japan, but this makes me feel like I have.
The lines, like the messages, in the movie are vast and deep. I had to watch it a few times to absorb everything and then more on DVD just to really get into Bob's bantering. The two leads are just beautiful together and they are written so well, that Coppola broke all sorts of clichés and made the movie real.
The part all viewers are expecting, including myself, didn't come. I truly believed it had to happen as all these types of movies have that (no I won't mention what that is, but it's not hard to figure out when you're watching it) and honestly, I was so enthralled in the story, so captivated and wrapped in the film, I wouldn't have minded a cliché or two.
Instead we are left with a secret. A whisper. And though none of us will find out what was silently passed on, I loved it.
This movie is a work of art, through and through. If you have not experienced it, you are hereby ordered to take place in how movies should be made.