Lost in Translation
For weeks I've been looking forward to seeing Lost in Translation, the Bill Murray / Scarlett Johansson dramedy directed by Sofia Coppola, and this weekend it opened in Atlanta.
Watching the trailer, I had a feeling the movie wouldn't be quite as funny or light as it was being portrayed. If anything, it could be a dark, melancholic experience all the more off-kilter with Bill Murray (of all people) as the lead.
Gladly, the movie was the perfect mix of both. Murray is fantastic in his role; offering just the right amount of humor to balance the sad midlife-crisis his character is enduring while hotel-bound in Tokyo. Scarlett Johansson, who portrays another marooned American in the same hotel, is the perfect actress for the part. Decades apart in age, they would appear to have nothing at all in common. But they quickly become friends (insomnia certainly helps), and the two fall into a joyous, yet fleeting relationship.
What's most exciting to me about the film is the direction of Sofia Coppola. Considering how many children of famous Hollywood-types turn out completely rotten (turn on E! anytime for an eyeful), Sofia is a blazing talent behind the lens. I received her first film, The Virgin Suicides, a little lukewarm, but Lost in Translation is such a gorgeous leap forward there is no doubt about her future career or industry credibility.
Sadly, the movie doesn't appear to be in the widest distribution, despite the near-unanimous acclaim it has received. If you're lucky enough to live in a city presenting the film, push it to the top of your must-see list.
Comments
We saw it this afternoon as well. I think its what every romantic comedy has the potential to be, but isn't. Funny, but also tender.
Atlanta talk-I haven't been to the Midtown 8 in a while. Now under renovation and new ownership, it is seems quite promising. My wife hates the stickiness of the other art-house theaters. Well, Lafont that is. It's great to have another alternative.
Posted by: Kevin at September 21, 2003 10:54 PM
I had the opportunity to see this wonderful story on opening night in Sacramento. I felt as if there was a tiny window open to this wonderful story that was turned into a wide expanse of feeling and experience by Coppola's vision. A must see for people who enjoy and intelligent film. A must see for any fans of Bill Murray.
Posted by: jpfjr at September 22, 2003 1:01 AM
ahhh. it was good not great. you guys, i think, are being blinded by the smart mob. Afterlife was great. Happy Together and Chung King Express where great but this is simply good. Of course it is WAY better than any other Hollywood release and i would recommend it to anyone/everyone but I think it was a bit weak in many ways as well. Touching but not compelilng.
Posted by: bruno at September 22, 2003 2:18 PM
Coming out of "Lost in Translation" I kept thinking of an interview with Stanley Kubrick, who said that his goal for "2001" was for the audience to have felt that they had taken a trip through space. Walking out of "Lost", my friends kept commenting that they felt like that they had just spent a week in Tokyo. It was wonderful in that regard.
Sophia definitely establishes a unique mood and pacing, but I don't think everyone will get this. There is no transparent story arc and, like "Virgin Suicides" I left wondering what it all means. She's a delightful talent who's not another Bruckheimer wannabe.
Posted by: Sean at September 22, 2003 7:45 PM
I saw it last Friday and it rocked. Sofia is quite a talent.
Posted by: Mike Steinbaugh at September 22, 2003 8:47 PM
I'm waiting anxiously for this. It was at the Toronto International Film Festival, but I couldn't get tickets, but I think it opens here in a week or two. Thanks for the thumbs-up. Bill Murray is great, and he's set to star in the next Wes Anderson project (tentatively titled "The Life Aquatic"). He'll get his Oscar yet...
Posted by: James at September 23, 2003 11:31 PM
Sophia Coppola Interview.
Posted by: Marshall at September 25, 2003 8:40 AM
Don't say "industry credibility"!
(With apologies to Spike Jonze.)
Posted by: Andrea at October 1, 2003 10:15 PM
"LIT" movie and soundtrack were excellent. remember the scene with bill Murray in the hospital?
Posted by: [ luna ] at October 3, 2003 12:47 PM
I liked it.. I didn't even realize till it was over that it had held my attention throughout.. there was never a time where I didn't feel submersed in the story yet at the sametime it would seem as if you could fall asleep in it from the way its described.. slow paced, little action, fairly quiet.. yet somehow this movie felt more intense than Terminator 3.. maybe becuase I was actually thinking too much while watching it...
The only thing that threw me off was the ending... I don't understand what that scene was supposed to signify..
I'd giv this one a 4/5 for what its worth ;)
If you're looking for a real 'thinker' try watching "Requiem for a Dream" if you haven't.
Posted by: Jim at October 8, 2003 1:41 AM
I saw the movie twice. It was just different enought to make it real good... but not great!. I wanted more of Bill at the end and i felt a bit shorted by its conlusion. I did like the music especially the rare Mary Butterworth cut.
Paul
Posted by: Paul Willard at October 12, 2003 4:21 PM
