Lost in Translation (2003)

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Unearthing the sentimental in the synthetic and the concealed sorrow that comes with significance and milestones. Lost in Translation is a dreary look at the cyclic inevitability of human life. Using pathos to connect how we desperately try to define the chaos and strive for zeal, the scenarios laid out may not be relative to everyone but the directive is universal. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson take the leads in this Sofia Coppola directed drama and unveil prime examples of their talents. Lost in Translation doesn’t insult the audience with cliches or resort to idiotic predicaments. Instead, it is indifferent to the viewer and gives exactly what is is, life. There is no extravagance, just chance encounters with plausible results.

Scarlett Johansson Lost In Translation

An aging actor who’s career is nearing its end, Bob Harris (Murray) travels to Tokyo on business. An enchanting young woman named Charlotte (Johansson) who is newly married to a photographer visits Tokyo with her husband for work. Their first encounter is in an elevator and the two barely notice one another. By chance, the two meet again in the middle of the night at their hotel’s lounge. As both cannot sleep and are bored to death during the day, they become travel partners and begin to sightsee around Tokyo. As their friendship evolves, they come to the realization that their time in Tokyo is drawing to a close.

Lost in Translation doesn’t teach decadence or cater to the grand design of what things should be. After all, the time we spend dreaming of what could be and what could be feels like is pointless. In the end, everything we imagine is what we already know, which is not a negative conclusion. Lost in Translation takes pride in what we know and shows that despite our mistakes such as optimism or forcing what we want to happen into happening, eventually we get it right. It may not be in the correct manner or the right approach, but we do know what we want and we are intelligent enough to know when it materializes. Bill Murray is comically melancholic and radiates his character’s self indulged compassion and positive narcissism. Scarlett Johansson lays out the best form of indifference and does right by her morals and choices, yet still becomes deceived. Sofia Coppola uses her surroundings in definitive ambience and amplifies the details in Johansson’s and Murray’s gloom.

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Lost in Translation: 8.5 out of 10.

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About Joseph@thecinemamonster

Aspiring writer who absolutely adores film and television. thecinemamonster.com

Posted on March 6, 2013, in Drama and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Leave a Comment.

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