LOST IN TRANSLATION (2003)
A confession: the first time I saw this movie, I hated it. I didn't want to see it again. Ever. I couldn't understand why there was such a big fuss around the movie. It was slow, long, and boring. But a couple years later, I was strapped to a chair and forced to watch it against my will. Then again, a couple years after that. And finally, after the what must be the third or fourth time seeing it, I'm actually starting to get it. Lost In Translation follows the brief and fleeting quasi-romance of a washed out actor (Bill Murray) and a recent college graduate (Scarlett Johansson), as they both struggle to keep their heads above water in the electric culture shock of Tokyo, Japan.
The script itself is pretty good and Bill Murray works it well, his comic timing folds in perfectly with the easy, straight-face humor. The characters themselves are nice, dynamic, and human, but I still find myself not able to actually like any of them, with the except of maybe Anna Faris' character who was just too dim-witted to understand her own ridiculousness. Still, despite the faults of this movie, I have to give credit where credit it due--the directing is phenomenal. Sofia Coppola won the Oscar for best directing on this one, and it was well deserved (edit: Sofia Coppola should have won the Oscar for best directing on this one. There I go, thinking the Oscars have a sense of justice again). This movie is a lesson in atmosphere, in camera angles, in tone. Every second you watch it, you feel like you're in Tokyo, you feel the claustrophobia, the headaches, the culture shock. The real strength of this movie also happens to be the one thing that keeps me away from it; it's over ninety minutes of visual jet lag. And so, yes, I have to commend the artistry and the precision that it took Sofia Coppola to keep that vibrant intensity for the entirety of the movie. Truly a lesson in the craft of directing. Now excuse me while I lay down and take a melatonin.
I like this movie. For all the reasons you give about the culture shock and electric neon culture that is Tokyo. A friend who lived in Japan once described life in Tokyo as living in a pinball machine. And when watching this film, I can't help but think what an apt description it is. I feel as lost as characters. Sofia really is a talented director and I look forward to watching her films, even when I'm not sure I will like them (Maria Antoinette).
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my review for Haywire is up http://411movienews.blogspot.com/2012/02/haywire-boo-yah-fellas.html Looking forward to your thoughts.
That's the thing--I can respect it as a good movie. Sofia Coppola is a fantastic director, and certainly pulls her weight in this movie. And it definitely overwhelms with the feeling of culture shock. A very visceral feeling. It was just not a pleasant place I like to be in. Which was...half the point of the movie. But still, it's a little hard to suffer with the characters that intensely for that long. Basically how I feel every time I pick up a George R. R. Martin book.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so checking it out pronto!
I love this film, and all Sofia Coppola films in general. I love the way they look, and this one is no exception. I really enjoy Bill Murray's performance in this, and it makes sense why he still is one of the funniest actors around. Even the really sad parts make you smile a bit. Scarlett Johannson is very good too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Sofia Coppola won the Oscar for best original screenplay and not directing (though she should have :P). Hope that helps :)
It was certainly a perfect film for Bill Murray--the man has a great sense of humor, no matter what you put him in. He's just too good at making me chuckle. The bit with him and the photographers gets me every time.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're completely right! My bad. I was getting my hopes up that there was some justice in the Oscars again. Fixing! Thanks for that!
It is certainly an interesting movie, and shows once again that side of Bill Murray that goes beyond smirks and wisecracks. From Where the Buffalo Roam through The Razor's Edge, and on to this movie, there's a lot of depth to a guy who otherwise might only have been remembered for Meatballs and Ghostbusters. Kudos to Ms. Coppola for winning ANY Oscar, and showing she can do so much more than act as scapegoat for the misfiring of second gangster family sequels...Cheers, M!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I also severely disliked this the first time I watched it and I have seen it ZERO times since them. So.... maybe I need to revisit it and try to look at it with a different perspective. Then again I'm not a fan of anything Sofia Coppola has done maybe I'll forever be a hater.
ReplyDelete@ Craig--Honestly, if Bill Murray only has Ghost Busters to his name, I'd still love the guy. But it is nice for him to show his dramatic side (with a smattering of humor in there). And touché about Coppola...to be perfectly honest, I haven't actually seen her other work, and I should probably remedy that.
ReplyDelete@ Lindsay--I'll just say that once you accept how slow and monotone the movie is...you are able to appreciate it for the chaotic atmosphere. But just because it's a well done film doesn't always make it a good movie. It's one of those things where I can understand why other people love it...and appreciate it for what it is...but it's still not exactly my cup of tea.
I love this movie. The relationship dynamic between the two leads is so different that it's nice to see it. Murray really stands out. You get the idea that he knows how it'll all shake out, but he just wants to enjoy the experience in the meantime. The direction is great. It's like a big piece of emotional tone.
ReplyDeleteBill Murray does take the almost "wise old guy" role...except without the wise part. More like "resigned to his lot in life". I definitely enjoyed his character. Until the bit with the red haired singing lady. Dammit. But I agree that it's a very visceral kind of movie.
ReplyDelete