Lost in Translation is the best movie I have seen this year and probably last year and maybe the year before. It isn’t for everyone. There are no chase scenes or big plot twists. Not even much of a plot. Not much happens. Sound exciting? I left the theatre overjoyed by this sad and funny movie. I was exhilarated by being reminded of the possibilities of cinema. About how smart and talented people can make a movie this good with just the sparest of ideas and two or three superior actors. About how someone can still make a movie that does not contain a single movie cliche and works this well.
I thought it was a fantastic film, too. Well written and well acted. It was hard for me to believe that Scarlett Johansson is only 19. She was good in Ghost World but gives a phenomenal performance here. Bill Murray was perfect for the part. I guess he should be; it was written for him by Sophia Coppola. I’m glad that it got enough buzz for a wider release.
One minor critique: I cringed a few times, especially in the first 20 minutes or so at the use of some Japanese stereotypes, the kind that usually elicits comments like, “Gee, aren’t those people silly.” On the one hand I understand the need to establish the main character’s “fish out of water” feeling, but also felt that it could have been done without making the foreign ridiculous.
That said, I still highly recommend this movie. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry…
I’ll watch anything with Bill in it. My favorite all time movie (I’m not kidding - I can watch it over and over and over) is Groundhog Day… it might not be that easy for me to find it, but it will get here eventually.
Whenever Bill Murray really tries, he makes great movies. Like Rushmore, for example. I don’t seem to be able to go to movie theaters anymore, but i’ll watch this for sure when it comes out for rent.
Speaking of what, if you’re in the USAAI, check out Netflix.
I’m always excited to arrive in Japan, so I didn’t quite relate to the two main characters’ situations there, but I can understand them. I enjoyed seeing familiar places in the Tokyo street scenes even though they’re presented as unfamiliar.
I’m not sure I agree with the comment about stereotypes. I’ll admit there are a few types of stereotypes: those that are just blatantly untrue; those which exagerate qualities that are common found; and those that really are true. Much of Bill’s interaction with the Japanese in the beginning of the film really are true, with very little exageration. The only thing I found out of place was the interpreter at the commercial filming being not too competent.
Bill reminds me a little of Dustin Hoffman’s character going through the motions at the beginning of “The Graduate”.
I’ll definitely keep an eye open for the video. (I hate movie theaters.) I recently watched a pretty off-beat video I’d recommend: Best of Show. It’s a fake documentary about people entering their dog in a dog show. It’s the weirdness of the people that makes the movie. They are totally happy (most of them) with their weirdness and don’t know or care how the rest of the world sees them. (The crisis negotiator describing his work was a high point for me.) If you liked Spinal Tap, it’s that kind of thing.
Tony
That’s 'cause it’s by the same filmmaker, and much of the same cast. If you liked both Spinal Tap and Best in Show, you might check out Christopher Guest’s latest mockumentary, just out on video: A Mighty Wind. It’s about faux folk-singers. I didn’t think it was as good as Guest’s other films – in fact, a lot of the movie seems to me a really long wind-up to the funniest head-slap in cinematic history – but there are very funny moments.
Re: Lost in Translation. Eh. It was good, but . . .
To be more precise: I think the writing is very good. I think the performances – esp. the leads, Murray and Johannson – were good, esp. Murray, who nails the role. I don’t think that all those individually great parts added up to a great movie, though. A lot of the tension – and what’s a story without tension? – is rooted solely in whatever Murray’s reaction is about to be to a given circumstance. He does a great job of handling all that pressure, but it doesn’t make for a great movie. And the film’s palette is, well, not engaging, visually. Still, I think Ms. Coppola is turning into a good filmmaker; I liked this one, and also The Virgin Suicides.
I think I expect different things from film and theater, and maybe this would have been more fulfilling if I saw it on a stage.
What I did like: watching the leads’ friendship develop, and so honestly; and some fine writing. One of my favorite lines, in an “oof” kind of way:
Murray’s wife, on the phone from far away: “Do I have to be worried about you?”
Murray: “. . . only if you want to.”
Maybe it’ll grow on me, the longer I think on it . . .
I am not big on traveling. But–my dream trip would be to go to Japan. I have read Japanese literature (mercifully translated) for 25 years. Love the aesthetics of Japan and am intrigued by the cultural aspects. That’s one of the reasons I loved the movie–I’ve never seen modern-day Tokyo depicted that vividly.
I don’t suppose I’m likely to make it to Japan. Too expensive to travel and to stay once there. In my business, a business-expense trip is not going to happen. Oh, well…
Dale keep wishin an’ a hopin’. If Anna Martinez can get a slow session going in Deadwood with all the trouble she has had in that town, then anything is possible even a trip to Japan.
Japan can be an expensive place to visit, but it is possible to see a good part of the country on a budget. I’ve stayed at a nice small hotel in a touristy part of Tokyo for about $65 per night for a single room, double that for a twin… Fun places out in the country for about $70.00 per person with two very filling meals. Public transit is reasonable, especially in city areas. Definitely not a cheap place, but possible for normal people.
I’m trying to think of a good Japanese movie that really shows what contemporary life is like in Japan…
but I’m coming up mostly blank. The closest that comes to mind is “Maborosi” directed by Toshikazu Kore-eda. It is a very slow paced film, that I can easily understand some people hating it as much as I liked it (that’s a lot). Every scene is a beautifully composed still shot. There are something like two scenes where the camera moves in the whole film. Set in a residential neighborhood in Osaka, and then moves to a fishing village on the Noto penninsula. I loved it.
If you want to see an incredible performance by a young woman, see Whale Rider. It’s a tremendous film, appropriate for the whole family, and the lead is probably the best performance I’ve seen in ages. And she’s 12.
There is a wonderful little movie house 1/2 block away that fortunately two years ago was converted back from a porn theater to a first run movie house that specializes in little fims like this and other independent films and foreign films; stuff that comes out without hype and only later gets known because it’s so good. We saw the charming Bend it Like Beckham there, and with your prodding review will now trot over to see Translations as well.
No buts about it, I like chase scenes TOO…I just don’t like when that 's the best or only good part of the movie. We rented a horrible movie the other night - Hollywood Homicide with Harrison Ford and some horribly acting challenged young buddy actor - the only good part was the chase scene at the end!