Beautifully acted story that stays with you long after its over.

Rating: 10/10 (24 September 2006)

Bill Murray gives one of his best performances, if not his best, as Bob Harris, an aging actor who is very popular in Japan. Ditto for the wonderful Scarlett Johansson who shines as a younger woman (Charlotte) who is lost in her 2 year old marriage. The movie will no doubt appeal most to middle age men, for it is an achingly bittersweet story of how our mature choices in life often limit and prevent us from experiencing new relationships on a long term basis. The character's age difference never seems to be an issue--they connect in a way that transcends age. There are a few scenes that are so touching that watching them is almost painful and yet, Coppola never lingers or make these scenes anything but real. When Charlotte and Bob take a break from partying, she tenderly puts her head on his shoulder. And when they are in bed together talking, she touches him with her bare feet and he gently touches them. I left the movie wishing for a sequel, but knowing there would never be one. And thats what makes the movie so bittersweet. An older man and a beautiful young woman have met and developed feelings for each other but will probably never see each other again because of the circumstances of their lives. What did Bob say to Charlotte at the end that made her smile and him seem content? One can only wonder but I think it was something like "I love you and will never forget you-ever". Damn, what a drag it is getting old.