Lost in Translation

Two lost souls meet, over 6,000 miles from home

Scarlett Johansson plays a recent college graduate who follows her husband to Japan. We are separately introduced to Bill Murray's character, Bob Harris, an ex-movie star who is in Japan to cash-in for commercials. Both characters are clearly on different wavelengths from their respective spouses, and both feel isolated from the world. When they finally interact it slowly builds up from tentative looks at each other to hanging out with friends in the city. They both establish a rapport with each other, ultimately causing them to confide in each other. Although they never had am affair in terms of sleeping together, they did however, seem to have emotionally cheated on their spouses. Bob sleeps with another woman, and after saying goodbye, Bob races out of his cab after catching a glimpse of Charlotte. They embrace, Bob whispers something to her ear that we can't hear, and they go on their separate paths.

Bob and Charlotte unwind after a long night

Some may point to the movie as deep for its critique on global capitalism. Essentially both of their spouses are fully entrenched in the pursuit of excess thus, in capitalism: Bob's wife and her carpet squares, Charlotte's husband relishing his job of promoting glamour and music via photography. However, the two main characters connect not by chasing materialistic goals but just small, quiet moments that they have. I for one, applaud the film for this critique. Yet, I had much more expectations for the movie. As a result of characters connecting via quiet and small moments, the film feels empty. Many scenes have no consequence and not much happens.

Director Sofia Coppola became the 3rd woman ever to be nominated for a Best Director Oscar when it came out in 2003 which makes the film culturally important in a sense. Ironically however, this movie is straight-up racist from start to finish. Both characters bond over ridiculing the Japanese culture with numerous moments where Bill Murray mocks Japanese for mixing their Rs and Ls.

All in all, this movie is a disappointment

3/10