Sweet and offbeat

Rating: 7/10 (22 September 2003)

This movie reminded me a lot of 60s foreign films. I had not realized how far away we had gotten from movies like A MAN AND A WOMAN and JULIET OF THE SPIRITS. Despite the big budget, LOST IN TRANSLATION is an intimate story that is told from a very distinct point of view. It's slow moving, but nonetheless has an eccentric charm that keeps you watching. Not a lot really happens on the surface. It's very much to the stars' and Coppola's credit that what's going on inside the characters is very clear, yet never directly stated. Ms. Coppola has a subtle eye and ear that have allowed her to skewer a lot of contemporary types along the way. I wouldn't call this a really hilarious comedy, but it is, nonetheless, a sly and amusing almost-love story set against an alien backdrop. I liked Murray's good-natured performance, but I think it is young Ms. Johanssen who emerges as a genuine star in this film, the first true star to come along since Julia Roberts. She has both natural beauty and an intelligent quality. She reminded me a little of both the young Ingrid Bergman and the young Isabel Adjani. I believe she has a major career ahead of her, which is why this film will always be around.