This is the best movie of 2003! The only people who didn't enjoy it are those who don't like intelligent movies!,

Rating: 10/10 (24 September 2009)

Okay, I have read dozens of reviews about the fabulous movie, Lost in Translation, with most people liking it, and some snobbish people disliking it. I can see both sides of the issues. This is a deliberately slow paced character study of two lonely and isolated Americans staying in Tokyo.
One, a washed up actor, Bob Harris, played by Bill Murray having a midlife crisis and feeling isolated that his career is in a nosedive, in town filming a whiskey ad, all while his marriage is suffering. The other, Charlotte, a recent Yale philosophy graduate, played by Scarlett Johansson, in town with her photographer husband who feels just as depressed and isolated as Bob is.
The film starts out very slowly, showing the audience how different it is to be a fish out of water in a totally different country. It shows how each of these two characters react to their isolation and how they each deal with their environments.
Then, one night in the hotel bar, they each meet for the first time, and the film's romance begins. Murray's Bob Harris is one of the most memorable characters in recent film history. Once you get to know him, the more you begin to like him. Murray's humor makes up for the slower moments in the film. However, his performance mixes moments of joy, with moments of complete sadness.
Giovanni Ribissi, who plays John, Charlotte's self centered husband, and Anna Faris, a B rated "Cameron Diaz" ditsy movie actress in town promoting her latest movie also give memorable performances.
Some of the best elements of this film are not it's humor but it's amazing beauty. Quiet scenes such as Charlotte taking a trip by herself to Kyoto to see a temple while placing a paper wish on a tree, while a Japanese couple get married, is an amazing sight to behold. The beautiful cinematography alone makes this film worthwhile. All this mixed with moments of Bob Harris' great humor, especially his scene with a Japanese "Tonight Show" host which is hilarious, and a memorable scene in a Tokyo hospital with Bob trying to communicate with a Japanese elder! There are people who feel that the way that these two characters interact with the locals is "racist" which is complete nonsense. Coppola shows the most respect to the Japanese people and since her characters don't understand the local culture very well, it just shows their lack of understanding of Japanese people and it's culture. It takes a mature person to understand the real meaning of Bob and Charlotte's interactions with the Tokyo locals, their confusion, and why they make some comments about it.
I cannot state how powerful and moving this motion picture is. However, it is not for everyone, especially those looking for a "faster" moving motion picture. It's a slow character study piece, not an action movie. By the end, if you are not completely moved by what happens to these two characters, then you have a lot of growing up to do.
This is by far Bill Murray's finest performance, and he should have definitely won the Oscar for Best Actor. His next film, Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic, is highly expected to be a sensation with multiple nominations. Hopefully Murray will pick up the Best Actor Oscar next year. He's finally starring in great movies, such as Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums that take advantage of his dramatic acting over his famous comedic skills. Hollywood is finally beginning to notice Bill Murray the actor, over Bill Murray the comedian. I'm glad that Murray is taking riskier roles over conventional comedic roles these days.
The beautiful and talented Scarlett Johansson finally has the Hollywood spotlight on her, despite memorable roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World. She actually filmed this movie when she was only 17, despite her character's maturity. With this, and Girl With A Pearl Earring, we can hopefully expect more mature performances from Johansson as her beloved Charlotte.
Sofia Coppola, who wrote and directed Lost In Translation has her legendary father's gift for direction and you can be sure that Hollywood will be highly anticipating her next project. I'm glad that Oscar rewarded her for Lost In Translation's screenplay.
Thanks to all involved for this moving and touching movie!