Why the Oscar?

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2004)

Having seen this film, I agree that it was a very fine film. However I think it is perhaps in spite rather than because of Sofia Coppola. The direction on her part is quite good but the script is quite simply awful. How on earth it got an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay? It is up there with Raging Bull losing to Ordinary People for Best Picture for unbelievable Oscar winners.
Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray are both luminous in their performances, especially given the material they have to work with. Both are quite cliched roles but this wouldn't really matter if Coppola had given some kind of variation on them but this is lacking. Every Japanese person presented is a stereotype. Either they are wacky, subservient, infatuated with the west or just kitsch. Fine film but Miss Coppola ain't no writer.