Scarlett Johansson Movie:

				Salesrank: 214866
		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
Like a good dream, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation envelops you with an aura of fantastic light, moody sound, head-turning love, and a feeling of déjà vu, even though you've probably never been to this neon-fused version of Tokyo. Certainly Bob Harris has not. The 50-ish actor has signed on for big money shooting whiskey ads instead of doing something good for his career or his long-distance family. Jetlagged, helplessly lost with his Japanese-speaking director, and out of sync with the metropolis, Harris (Bill Murray, never better) befriends the married but lovelorn 25-year-old Charlotte (played with heaps of poise by 18-year-old Scarlett Johansson). Even before her photographer husband all but abandons her, she is adrift like Harris but in a total entrapment of youth. How Charlotte and Bill discover they are soul mates will be cherished for years to come. Written and directed by Coppola (The Virgin Suicides), the film is far more atmospheric than plot-driven: we whiz through Tokyo parties, karaoke bars, and odd nightlife, always ending up in the impossibly posh hotel where the two are staying. The wisps of bittersweet loneliness of Bill and Charlotte are handled smartly and romantically, but unlike modern studio films, this isn't a May-November fling film. Surely and steadily, the film ends on a much-talked-about grace note, which may burn some, yet awards film lovers who "always had Paris" with another cinematic destination of the heart. --Doug Thomas

Lost in Translation [Region 2] Reviews:
more than 500 give it a one star?
2008-08-11 - This is in fact what encouraged me to write this review, and a pleasant reality that not all people experience the intense euphoria this masterpiece leads to.
So I mention this movie to some of my friends, it's either a "best film ever" or a "most over hyped" statement. And I do know why. A matter of fact that this is not the first time I've seen such opposite opinions at the same time.
I've seen it with "Babel" and "Crash", both of which share the "unique feeling" a movie gives.
Lost in Translation is by far the heaviest impact on the viewer. I actually felt I was traveling when watching the film.
The films is the closest film I've seen to reality. The actors are playing roles that happen in everyday life. Far from the typical Hollywood glamour or shall I say "garbage".
I give this amazing film extra credit for being on such a low budget, as this encourages independent film makers to do what their supposed to do best. The film cost 6 million to make.
Lost in Translation is one of the best movies I've seen. I'm not going to go into the details why, but I think some of the readers felt what I felt watching this film and won't blame me for my statement.


Murray's finest performance makes for a great film for 2003
2008-08-01 - Lost in Translation is all-too-often misunderstood. That couldn't be any more evident with it's 500+ "1/5" votes, which is certainly ludicrous, inaccurate and unfair. I understand it may not appeal to everyone, but it's flat out ignorant to deem this as a poor effort or production. It's anything but.

Is it perfect? Of course not. But it wholly fulfills what it sets out to do and is a fantastic effort from Ms. Coppola.

People may complain that the storyline or plot of this film is thin, but its simplicity is part of its charm. The aesthetics of this film alone make it worth seeing. If you never had an inkling to go to Japan, this film may change that. Coppola's vision of Tokyo and in essence, her "strangers in a strange land" angle, is strong and prevalent from beginning to end.

Bill Murray's performance is outstanding, as well as refreshing. His dry wit and comedy sense permeates throughout much of the film. Scarlett Johansson is also convincing and well portrayed.

The cinematography is amazing, and for me, very much part of the film's appeal. I was also thrilled with the ending. Overall, I just enjoyed WATCHING this film. A must see for any fan of Murray or Johansson, as well as those drawn to films centering around human relationship dynamics.

I found myself relating to the film's characters on multiple levels and therein lies its strength - capturing the truest thoughts and questions of people as they move through life, but never tries too hard or reaches in order to drive a point home. It never goes over the top for the sake of mindless entertainment.

It's an introspective piece and rife with super dry comedy.

Being alone in a world with no space
2008-07-09 - This film is a masterpiece. I will not pretend to analyze its deeper meanings, but if you've ever felt alone in a crowded room full of people you don't understand, you'll get it. The soundtrack works flawlessly with the beautiful and sometimes haunting images that float through this film's landscape. If you were a fan of truly alternative, clever music in the early eighties, then you will adore this lush soundscape. To me, this film hits closer to the heart of people searching for meaning in a sometimes meaningless situation far more effectively than "American Beauty" attempted to or could have. Have a glass or two of your favorite red, turn out the lights, and let this epic of jejune avoidance carry you away.

One of My Favorite Movies of All Time!
2008-07-02 - I guess this is one of those "love it or hate it" movies, so all I
can do is tell you why I love it so much. First, filming the
movie in Japan was not only a way to capture the two main
characters out of their element (which was the brilliant, central
point of the film), but it took ME out of MY element, which was
refreshing. I loved the nightlife, the colorful characters, the
strange looking food, the cherry blossoms in the gardens...
the setting for the film was magnificent.

As for the two main leads, the acting is superb. Bill Murray
takes a huge leap playing an aging, burned out actor with marital
woes and hits the mark, dead on. Scarlett Johansson approaches
the youthful object of his affection with understated sweetness
and grace. Neither actor overplays or underplays their part, which
is rare in film. Both are spot on.

And for the story. How refreshing to explore the complexity of
male/female bonding without resorting to raunchy sex scenes
and offensive language. Maybe the reason why so many
viewers are disappointed in this film is because of its quiet,
thoughtful, deeply tender approach to the subject matter. There's
no fast cars or nudity in this film; just the story of two lost souls
completely out of their element who find each other and reawaken
in each other something both of them thought they had lost.

At the end of the movie, as the Jesus and Mary Chain song plays and
the two part ways, I always get teary-eyed. If someone can tell me
what the two whisper to each other, I'd really like to know. But then
again, maybe that would be giving too much away in this brilliant gem
of a film. Highly recommended for those in search of a lighthearted
and tender romance that doesn't follow traditional rules of "love"
constructions in cinema. Brava Sophia!

A tender if not always successful film
2008-06-01 - It is fascinating the love/hate opinion most have for this movie. It garners either five stars or one star and yet I find myself somewhere in the middle. Director Sophia Coppola breezes us through Japan, be it to witness the traditional wedding in Kyoto, dashing through the Pachinko parlors, singing karaoke, walking through shrines and temples, eating in local restaurants, riding the trains, the shabu shabu restaurant, the propaganda vans shouting their messages as they drive down the street, the ladies handing out tissue packages on the street, the often bizarre Japanese tv shows, and so, so much, this movie is at times a loving home movie for me, reminding me of so much I have seen and done during my time in Japan. For that reason alone I find myself watching it now and again just to remind me of the country that I miss so much now that I am back in the states.
Many people have complained of the anti-Japanese sentiment. I think they are missing the point, however. The two characters, Bob in particular, are very real clichés of the ugly American. Rather than taking Coppola to task for making fun of Japanese people, I give her credit for showing us ourselves. The squeamishness and outrage we feel when we see these characters is purposeful. Lord knows I came across many such people in my years there and seeing this behavior in the characters made them very real to me. Furthermore, Bob's acidic attitude is symptomatic of the misery and sadness he is experiencing and the frustration that stems from such feelings which causes him to seek the most convenient scapegoats for his angst.
In the end, though, most of the complaints stem from the viewers being bored to death and I will agree that there is little that really happens in this movie. It reminds me in some ways of "Sideways," both character studies where we visit with flawed and problematic people. I will also admit that before I lived in Japan I watched this movie and it wasn't nearly the same experience as it was after seeing Japan in person. It changed so much of my understanding and appreciation of the film.
One of the things that did bug me some was the near perverse nature of the relationship. Charlotte is young enough to be his daughter and their wavering feelings of longing for each other didn't serve the plot in any real way. The tenderness and humanity of the film could've been accomplished with a more realistic father-daughter connection between the two. I understand that they are desperate and needy for anyone to give them some shelter from their misery. But again, I think that this point could've been made without the sexual tension. Being lonely, being sad, and needing someone to cling to during difficult times in our life need not be sexual.
There is a scene about two-thirds through the movie where the two characters exchange thoughts on life, mostly Bob dispensing wisdom to Charlotte. This is my favorite part because we see the crystallization of what these two mean to each other. After days and nights suffering through jet lag, these two sleep-deprived foreigners finally fall blissfully asleep because at last they realize they are not alone amid the neon chaos of Tokyo. Charlotte nestles close in the security of her new friend and Bob gently touches Charlotte's foot and anchors himself for that moment to allow sleep to come. It's a subtle and tender moment and there are enough of these moments in Lost in Translation for me to forgive some of the mistakes. This is not a perfect movie but I give Coppola a lot of credit for making this most unusual and off-beat film.