the most romantic story ever translated.

Rating: 9/10 (1 February 2005)

When this film came out at the cinema, I was torn between going to see it and waiting at home, thinking about whether romance was still alive. In hindsight, I now see that I made the wrong decision in not going to see it, as seeing it would have let me know that love can still blossom.
Charlotte is a young newlywed, staying in Japan with her photographer husband. Neglectful of her and swanning off around the busy Tokyo streets, Charlotte meets Bob, an old, washed-up actor advertising Santori whisky. in Tokyo by himself, he joins Charlotte on her tours of the city, in sitting in the hotel bar when suffering from insomnia and in sharing marriage troubles that he has with his wife at home in the states. Will they kiss or won't they? You ask yourself this the entire way through the film.
Many people see this film as boring and pointless, but it really is a story about love and the fact that it is still alive. I think this is one of the most romantically silly films ever made, and the chemistry between Johansson and Murray is amazing.
The Tokyo mise en scene is breathtaking, and the attention to detail from Coppola is close to perfect. Every shot seems to be carefully planned out, from the metropolitan yet tranquil view out of hotel windows, to the busy arcade scene.
This is truly a feel-good film which rekindles your interest in silliness and the things done for love. I love this film and it will remain one of my favourites for years to come.