Unlike many of her contemporaries Sofia Coppola writer and director of both The Virgin Suicides and Lost In Translation appears focused upon making films that are honest, acutely observational and believable.
It’s testimony to her apparent refusal to indulge viewers’ expectations or resort to Hollywood contrivances that Lost In Translation is immeasurably more genuine and charming than the majority of thoughtless films that Hollywood churns out.
Coppola also makes sure to give her actors freedom to perform, unlike many heavy-handed Hollywood directors. And it pays off brilliantly as Bill Murray gives what is the most reserved and understated performance of his career, which is also his absolute finest.
Scarlett Johansson is an actress who is also currently on top form. She has a truly intoxicating screen presence and produces a complex yet delightfully genuine performance.
The central characters, Bob and Charlotte, find that they themselves are lost in translation, lost in a foreign country, unable to sleep and bewildered by Japanese customs.
The cinematography is certainly inventive too. The flash cuts between scenes (which in isolation would appear to be of little importance) highlight this unstable dreamlike state that they find themselves in.
Only when they find each other and become soul mates of a sort do they begin to re-evaluate their lives and start to find new perspective through their relationship.
Ultimately they share more with each other over whiskey and cigarettes than they ever could in bed. wonderful performances that have been rewarded by many pludits. Best of Murray's career and also for Johansson.
Coppola's first film the virgin suicides was not great but lost in translation is excellent
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott
Like a good dream, Sofia Coppola'sLost in Translationenvelopes you with an aura of ... more
fantastic light, moody sound, head-turning love, and a feeling ofdéjà vu, even though you've probably never been to this neon-fused version of Tokyo. Certainly Bob Harri...
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Like a good dream, Sofia Coppola'sLost in Translationenvelopes you with an aura of ... more
fantastic light, moody sound, head-turning love, and a feeling ofdéjà vu, even though you've probably never been to this neon-fused version of Tokyo. Certainly Bob Harri...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Sofia Coppola's second feature-length film focuses on two guests at a Tokyo hotel--Bob ... more
(Bill Murray) a middle-aged actor in town to film whiskey commercials and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) the young wife of a trendy photographer (Giovanni Ribisi)...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
From the director of The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola, and shot entirely on location in ... more
Japan, Lost In Translation is a laugh-out-loud portrayal of loneliness and human connection. Featuring superior performances from Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanss...
Advantages: Arguably Bill Murray's best performance to date. The sensualness of Scarlett Johannson's performance. The WONDERFUL cinematography. Disadvantages: The pace of the film won't suit everyone. Some people just won't 'get it. '
TheFirstEscapist 30.11.2004 (14.07.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Lost In Translation (DVD)
Advantages: Beautifully shot, brilliant performances from both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, great direction and script from Sofia Coppola. Disadvantages: None for me personally, but people who don’t like these types of films might find it slow and boring, some people have also complained there’s no story but I personally don’t think that’s a big deal.
Advantages: It fills in a couple of hours Disadvantages: It will be a couple of hours of complete boredom.
fallen_flame 20.04.2007 (05.08.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Lost In Translation (DVD)
Advantages: Amazing fight scenes and stunts, no wires so everything you see is for real. Disadvantages: The plots aren't amazing but still watchable, not for people who don't like foreign films.
![Lost In Translation [DVD] [2004]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78520070.jpg "Lost In Translation [DVD] [2004]")
Mar 12th, 2004
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