do it!

Rating: 7/10 (27 April 2004)

Lost in Translation has elements of a great film. The feeling of alienation is presented well. There is chemistry between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The subtly in the relationship between the leads surpasses most films. Where in most films, the characters would fall into a passionate kiss early in the picture, these two fall into an intelligent and touching conversation.
Spoilers:
Translation is not a great film, though. It is a good film, but it lacks some key elements that would take it to the next level. That a young, intelligent, beautiful woman(Johansson) would waste her time in Tokyo isn't unbelievable, but it is unlikely. Before her and Murray begin their consanguinity, she seems quite slumberous. It is revealed that she is dissatisfied with her marriage to the photographer she has accompanied. Then why did she come along? Did she want to reconcile? She makes no attempt. It is only the Murray character who enlivens her.

I found it realistic that they didn't have sex, but a little less believable that neither made more of an attempt at this. Each actor rendered feelings of desire well, but characters become less appealing when they let opportunities slide through their fingertips. Did they not give in to temptation because they were married? This seems like the wrong explanation. Otherwise, they should have avoided one another because their attraction could have yielded sex, not to mention that Murray sleeps with a lounge singer. Their relationship goes deeper than sex? Yeah, I'll buy that, but why not consummate such a bond? That these two truly love one another would hurt their spouses more than a physical act.
These are only slight problems. The movie is well made. Tokyo looks exorbitant and frightening. Bill Murray gives a good performance, but Johansson gives a better one. Sophia Coppola seems to be a promising young filmmaker.