Sofia Coppola :
Lost in Translation
Starring:
Bill Murray - Bob Harris
Scarlett Johansson - Charlotte
Directed & Written by: Sofia Coppola
Music by: Various artists, Kevin Shields, Squarepusher, etc.
USA 2003
Two lonely hearts in scyscraper hotel high above Tokyo's streets. Odd Japanese customs. A discovery of oneself and the other.
When I first saw the movie 2004 in cinema, I didn't really know what to think. Everything in movie was so good, acting, music the scenes of Tokyo. But at the same time something just didn't turn me on. Second time when I rented the DVD and watched it alone in my home, it got me into tears. How fantastic. Superb!
Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is famous moviestar doing a Suntory whiskey commercial in Japan. Scarlett (Charlotte Johansson) is a lonely woman who spends most of her time in the hotel, while her husband is busy doing photography and who knows what, neglecting their marriage. Other character descriptions are brief. Movie concentrates between these two people.
Both of the characters suffer from loneliness and emptiness in their lives. But the atmosphere of Japan let's them find the new importance in their lives. Japanese lifestyle is seen as strange and there is some comedy about this. But all is very genuinely funny, and I'm sure Japanese can laugh at that too. Movie was highly appreciated in Japan.
Cast is brilliant. Charlotte Johansson is fantastic. She can convey so much, with so little expression. Bill Murray as experienced actor is just as good as we can expect. Acting of these both is really fantastic.
The movie shows Tokyo more beautifully than I've ever seen before in screen. Lights shine, people walk in the streets speaking Japanese as naturally as ever. There is even a scene where we can hear the wonderful pedestrian crossing music
"TO RYAN SE".
Everything feels so genuinely Japanese. According to the additional material there was on
DVD, the crew didnt make big fuzz about shooting the movie in Shinjuku's streets - they just took the camera and did it, avoiding police as much they could. It turned out very well indeed. Myself I believe that this special method of simple sets make give the movie it's special atmosphere.
The scene in Kyoto where just married couple passes, woman wearing the white wedding kimono is so great and rhythmic. The scene shows so genuine interest and curiosity towards Japanese culture.
Soundtrack deserves a special note. I can't begin to describe how well the songs suit to the scenes. Squarepusher's electronic/ambient track is really beautiful and transparent. Kyoto music by Air Bomb, mixed in with the Buddhist bells is also fantastic. Kevin Shields have fantastic moody tunes and Phoenix's urban rock mixes the movie so great. Soundtrack even includes Murray's authentic karaoke piece "More than This". All I can say is that soundtrack is one of the best I heard for a long time. Works well with or without the movie.
This movie will certainly attract Tokyo some visitors. Sensitive in it's awkwardness, Sofia Coppola does fantastic job writing and directing this movie. I wish there are more films like this about Japan.
See also: Lost in Translation at IMDB.
