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| 1/19/2004 |
| Lost In Translation |
A Movie Review
by Wes Bennett
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“Lost In Translation” is a hypnotic, mesmerizing film. In it’s own way, it’s perfect. I really can’t think of anything negative to say about it. Everything works. The pacing, the editing and the refreshing subtly make this a remarkable achievement for rising director Sophia Coppola.
The film shouldn’t be as entertaining as it is because nothing really happens. There is almost no drama or real plot. But oddly, it doesn’t matter. The film is more about a mood, or emotion than action. Everything that happens feels accurate, astute and very real. Coppola nails the situation of two people in a strange place, who make an unlikely connection, despite having very little in common.
This is the story of two Americans, a washed-up movie star Bob Harris (Bill Murray) in town for a whiskey commercial shoot, and the young wife (Scarlett Johansson) of a photographer, who meet in Tokyo, and end up spending a week hanging out together.
Bob is more alienated than awed by Tokyo's overwhelming urban machine. Everyone is running around, passionate about something that he knows nothing about. Meanwhile his wife seems more concerned with the color of his carpet in the study than with his mild depression.
Charlotte is unsure about her marriage and frustrated by her husband’s (Giovanni Ribbisi), shallow, flirty conversations with an L.A. starlet (Anna Faris) who's overseas on a promotional tour.
Amid the sensory assault that is 21st century Tokyo, neither can sleep and they both share an ironic detachment and dry wit, an appreciation for the absurdity of a tourist hotel that both isolates and imprisons and an ability to listen. Despite all the other differences, this is what unites them.
Many of the film's funniest scenes revolve around Murray's understated, though very funny performance. There are great moments as he attempts to follow the directions barked at him in Japanese by a Suntory photographer and when he tries to ride the elliptical machine and it gets out of control. Another scene in particular seems to be an outtake that Coppola choose to leave in. Murray is waiting on Charlotte when she is getting her foot checked out at a hospital. Murray attempts to make small talk with an odd looking Japanese man with many animated hand gestures. It’s just a very unusual, natural moment, that’s really funny.
There have been hints before, in “Groundhog Day” and “Rushmore,” of the sadness that lies behind Murray’s ironic detachment, but “Translation” is argueably the best of the three.
This is Johansson's breakthrough role. She's been memorable in movies like "Ghost World" and "The Man Who Wasn't There," but here we discover her distinctiveness in a starring performance. There's a freshness in her genuine, clear-eyed, approach to acting. I am also fascinated by her image. Her attraction is entirely unique. She’s not classically beautiful, and its unclear whether she is going to age well. (She could be heinous in 15 years). But whatever it is, you do fall for her at some point in the film, especially when she sings the karaoke version of “Brass In Pocket.”
Anna Farris (“Scary Movie”) does a great job of representing the shallow, L.A. types who are more concerned with diets and fads than genuine human connections. Although the role borders on being a stereotype, she perfectly compliments the authenticity of Murray and Johansson’s personalities.
At it’s core, “Lost In Translation” is a film about being alone in a crowd and the power of unexpected friendships. If only more romantic comedies were more like this and “Punch Drunk Love” rather than the more formulaic cookie-cutter films with Julia Roberts, than I would be an instant convert to the genre. Movies like this cut through all the bullshit and allow people to be real and not maniplulated by plot points. This is unexpected gem of a film that actually lives up to the critical ass kissing it is recieving.
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moviegoer says: |
true |
2/2/2004 8:09:26 PM |
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| "We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it." |
- Jack Nicholson
A Few Good Men
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Distributed Beers
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Sierra Nevada Bigfoot |
| 4 |
Guinness Draught |
| 3 |
Newcastle Brown Ale |
| 2 |
Bass Pale Ale |
| 1 |
Samuel Adams Boston Lager |
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