Lost in Translation review

 Number 485 on the top 1000 films of all time is Sofia Coppola's romantic comedy-drama 'Lost in Translation.'

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is a fading movie-star shooting Suntory whisky commercials in Tokyo, Japan. While there he starts to question his own direction in life. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is also in Tokyo for her husband's photography work. Feeling neglected, she starts looking for something more and finds Bob. The two characters form an unlikely relationship.

Sofia Coppola is a much better director than she ever was an actress. If you've read my Godfather Part III review, you would know that I despised Sofia Coppola in that. However, with Lost in Translation, she crafted a touching, moving and wonderfully understated film. It had moments of levity, but it also left us with plenty to think about. Engaging with themes like isolation and alienation, she creates a subtle, but powerful narrative. There was also some gorgeous cinematography. I particularly loved the shot which shows Bob and Charlotte reflected in a window while Tokyo's nightline is in a bokeh. 

In many ways, Lost in Translation  reminded me of Spike Jonze's film Her. This was an excellent film that engages with similar themes, albeit with more of a science-fiction twist. It also had a similar cinematography that made it so pretty to watch. And, of course, both films star Scarlett Johansson. Considering Coppola was married to Jonze at the time she filmed Lost in Translation, it shouldn't be any surprise that the films were so similar.

I have to admit I don't much care for Bill Murray as an actor. I find that he generally always takes the same role - a cynical, miserly, grumpy old man. In many ways that's what Bob Harris is, but this character did have much more depth than many of other Murray's roles. And I think he did a good job in making Bob Harris quite sympathetic. More impressive though was Scarlett Johansson. At only seventeen, she was incredibly charming. Granted, she was still quite rough around the edges, but she showed her raw potential.

Overall, I did enjoy Lost in Translation. It had some great direction from Sofia Coppola, as well as some gorgeous cinematography. But it was just a moving and understated experience.