a film that rests on its characters

Rating: 8/10 (11 October 2003)

I've been reading through some of the comments, and it seems as if everyone either loved this movie or absolutely hated it. I liked it a lot. I will make one concession to the film's naysayers: there really isn't much of a plot, at least in a conventional sense. Both Bob and Charlotte are dissatisfied with their lives and respective relationships, but the film isn't about finding solutions to those problems. The dissatisfaction and alienation are what enable Bob and Charlotte to bond so quickly. The film follows their relationship through several sleepless nights in Japan.
Truth is, I can't entirely disagree with the negative comments many reviewers have made about the film. It's not as funny as it could be, nor does anything particularly noteworthy happen in the film. I liked the film because I could relate to it. The karaoke scene brought back memories of nights I have spent hanging out with people I had just met and would probably never see again. In addition, as a junior in college, I could identify with Charlotte's feeling of having absolutely no idea what to do with her life.
The performances are great...Bill Murray is excellent as usual and Scarlett Johansson has seamlessly transitioned into adult roles. Granted, there isn't much of a plot, but to me it doesn't seem to be necessary. "Lost in Translation" is almost like a short story: two lonely people meet in Japan and form a friendship, knowing that they will ultimately have to return to their regular lives, but for a few crazy, alcohol-filled nights, they will enjoy each other's company and contemplate things that could be.