Review of Lost in Translation (2003) by Isaac H — 16 Feb 2012

Sofia Coppola's kinda-sorta love story centers on Bill Murray's Bob Harris. Murray takes a surprisingly serious turn but still retains his share of witty lines. Harris is a once world-famous actor who is now taking $2 million dollar vodka endorsements in Tokyo. Soon, Bob meets Charlotte, played brilliantly by Scarlett Johansson, who's vacationing in Tokyo while her husband works on photography.

The two strike off an unlikely relationship that feels at times like that of a father and daughter, and other times like that of two lovers. As this awkward sort of partnership progresses, the proceedings become almost sublime. Unlike many films which try to cater to so many emotions, Lost in Translation is shockingly simple on the surface. It would be easy to go into the film with your brain turned off and understand it just fine, and that's just what the film asks you to do.

In fact, the most interesting part of the film is how it makes you feel after the fact. Part emotional journey, part romance, part wistful tale of a carefree friendship with no hope of lasting, Lost in Translation is an entrancing, utterly unique film that simply demands a viewing, and once it's over it's difficult to stop thinking about.