Lost In Translation DVD > Reviews > Definitely not lost on me

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Weak
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	Wonderful performances
Disadvantages:	Some people just don't get it .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

After checking through the local cinema listings lately, I decided that the one film that I wanted to see was Lost In Translation. The film featured my favourite comedy actor in Bill Murray and looked like something different from the usual rubbish these days. Luckily I was proved correct.

The film Lost In Translation is directed by Sofia Coppola, responsible for The Virgin Suicides not long ago and fast gaining a reputation for producing great movies which are a bit out of the ordinary. The film is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes long, and has a 15 certificate in the United Kingdom.

When the film was first released it received massive praise from a whole host of critics and reviews. However some people who had seen it had a totally different opinion. They said it was truly awful and that it was way too weird for them. This just heightened my interest in going to see it as people either loved it or hated it and I was keen to see what all of the fuss was about.

The storyline is a very straight forward one in principle and it is this basic idea which makes the film so realistic and eminently watchable. Bill Murray leads the cast playing an ageing action film star (Bob Harris). To try and promote himself, his agent has arranged a trip to Tokyo Japan for several interviews and to shoot an advert for a local brand of whisky. Married with children, but deeply depressed with the way his life is progressing, he is desperate to leave Tokyo. On the other hand Scarlett Johansen plays a young wife Charlotte who has recently completed her university and graduated with a degree in Philosophy. However, she has no real direction in her life and has followed her workaholic husband over to Tokyo in the hope of one day 'finding herself'

It is the way that both of these characters are suffering from the same sort of crisis that leads to them forming an unlikely friendship, which leads them to tour Tokyo and enjoy each others company and find out that they have much more in common than either one first realised. Finally they both do realise it, but will they do anything to jeopardise their newfound friendship?

The added twist to the film is the language barrier between Bob and the Japanese. I don't wish to spoil the plot for anyone who hasn't seen the film yet, but just keep an eye out for the Japanese version of Dale Winton, an over zealous Japanese advert director, and a lipped stocking - you really have to see it to believe it!!!

Taking the casting further, Scarlett Johansen gives the performance of her life in this film. Without having to say much, you can instantly relate to the problems that she is facing, as it is the problem of all young adults trying to find their own path and direction. Honest and believable, mature with a hint of a child like innocence, her role develops throughout the film and the lack of recognition that she has received for this film is rather unfair.

Bill Murray on the other hand is, as usual, absolutely brilliant. I have to say that I am impressed with the way that Bill Murray's career has progressed. Over the top and hilarious is the way I would describe some of his earlier roles in films such as Groundhog Day (My favourite film ever!!!) and Ghostbusters, he seems to have matured. That over the top slapstick style of comedy has been replaced by a more mature, dry wit sort of performance, and you really do feel for his character in this film. You honestly believe that he is a depressed former film star, and everything from his facial expressions, body language to his carefully considered responses are just superb, and his chemistry with Scarlett Johansen is there for all to see.

One problem with this film that a lot of people have noticed is that it has no story line or is too slow paced or lacks any suitable or exciting ending. Well all of these points are completely true, however I think that the film is put together in such a simple, and effective way that these do not detract one bit from the actual film. However, I do believe that for some people, and I mean this with no disrespect will just not get any of it and will completely go over their heads. This is not a criticism and I believe that the film is produced with this in mind. You will either see it as a heart warming friendship between two troubled people or as a film which had no direction. In addition, the lack of a suitable ending purely adds to the mastery of Sofia Coppola as it leaves the audience questions to form their own opinions which is a tricky concept to pull off successfully.

To sum this film up, it is a mix of comedy, drama and romance with no action, explosions, car chases or any of that kind of malarkey. It is wonderfully put together leaving the audience in stitches one minute and full of questions the next. I would recommend that everyone gets to see this film as it really does provoke a personal response, and whether this is a positive or negative one, it is very difficult to judge this film from reviews, opinions or hearsay.