Sensible and complex, sometimes boring

Rating: 8/10 (6 April 2004)

I believe that Sofia Coppola is a real talent - she has a different voice and vision and with time she will hopefully become the mature and great director that her name deserves.
'Lost in Translation' is a complex story about two characters looking for a change in their lives, almost touching this change, but never really catching the opportunity. The scene is set in Tokyo, the characters are American, and they feel physically jet-lagged and culturally estranged. Although some of the lovers of the japan may find the kitschy rendition of this great culture non-balanced, the film makes the point that the blame lies with the American characters, never eager to explore the different culture, rather attracted to the same 'Western' sub-culture they know from home.
I liked the ambiguity of the relationship - life is never clear cut as the Hollywood movies try to make it. I loved the characters, I salute the acting. I do not remember Bill Murray from other movies - I probably need to go back and do some research. And Scarlett Johansson - what? she is not even 20? She acts with sensitivity and maturity, she is beautiful and smart, and I wish her to become the big star she promises to be.
Yes, the film is sometimes too long, and the repetition of some of the messages may look boring. But so is life sometimes. It reminds me some of the great films of Michelangelo Antonioni - same alienation, same beauty.

8/10 on my personal scale.