Murray is Great - The Movie is Not

Rating: 1/10 (25 January 2004)

Bill Murray deserves the Golden Globe and Academy Award (and any other accolades) for his performance. For, unfortunately, he was the only thing worth watching in the uninspired and unoriginal "Lost in Translation". I felt "American Beauty" captured the mid-life crisis struggle far better than the snail-paced "Translation". I did not fall for the pseudo-love story, because I did not believe Scarlett Johansson's character in any way. She did not convince me that she was SO unhappy in her marriage (she's a newlywed - why not support her husband on his big break, as opposed to running off to flirt with other men?) that she needed Murray's company. Nor did I believe that she would really be attracted to Murray's character. In contrast, I could see and easily accept the resignation of Murray's character. I felt his pain. I felt his frustration. I felt his joy. He made the film. He deserves to win. Sofia Coppola may very well have a fantastic career as a director in front of her - but if she continues to direct films like these, it will never be realized. Murray saved what I felt was a film that was constantly waiting to break out of its shell, but was continuously held back by Coppola's uninspired direction.
I cannot recommend this movie - unless you are a Murray fan.