Review of Lost in Translation (2003) by Rachel H — 29 Jul 2012

A quietly engaging and beautifully shot mood piece, and an undisputable masterpiece, as well as one of the two best films of 2003. The film is a beautiful display of friendship and mutual loneliness, and this succeeds because of the fantastic chemistry between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, each giving the finest performances of their respective careers.

Sofia Coppola provides assured direction and a fantastic screenplay which provides melancholia and subtle humour in droves, and all of this is backed up by fantastic cinematography, music, and art direction.

Some complain about "nothing happening" in the film, but those who do so have clearly been conditioned for a "wham bam" ending where Bill and Scarlett kiss in the rain and leave their respective spouses.

But that just doesn't happen in real life, and besides, Bob and Charlotte's relationship is too complex to be pigeonholed into the "romantic" category. That's what I like about the film.

It's complex, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable. But I love Return of the King too much to say that it was robbed of Best Picture.