John Ford Was There First

Rating: Null/10 (15 March 2004)

Many have already commented on "Lost In Translation"'s lovely closing scene in which Murray whispers something to Johansson that the audience can only muse over. To see the source, check out "The Quiet Man" (1952) for this St. Patrick's Day. At the end of that film we find John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in Wedded Irish Bliss. They are also quite openly sexual: their chemistry is incredible. O'Hara turns to Wayne and whispers, and then she makes for their cottage, Wayne following eagerly behind. Critic Parker Beck, in 1996, gave this account of the filming of that scene:
"Maureen has revealed that director Ford gave her a line to whisper to John Wayne and she was sworn to secrecy never to tell anyone...ever. She was hesitant saying, 'I can't say that to Duke!' Likewise, Wayne was also told never to reveal what she whispered. Apparently it was shocking enough that she has no trouble keeping it under wraps, even today."
I doubt that it was shocking. I'm reasonably sure that it was beautiful. And the dual use of this technique does give "Lost In Translation" and "The Quiet Man" a wonderful bond: they are clearly films which love their characters enough to let them have their secrets.