Lost In Translation (DVD 2004)

I had this bought for me as a present following a friend's recommendation and I loved it. Now, the morning after, I already want to watch it again, there were so many little touches I saw but I suspect I missed some others. This is an extraordinarily well-crafted film, thriving on its understatement, brilliant in its observation and spellbinding in its execution. Bill Murray is at once hilarious and sensitive in his role as a man seeking distance from his family whilst he considers what his life is offering him. I laughed out loud several times - at his interaction with Tokyo and its people, at the Fax machine which suddenly springs into life with diagrams of shelving his wife is having put into the study, at his restrained dialogue with the animated director of his whiskey commercial, which is literally 'Lost in Translation'. I learnt with amazement that Scarlet Johanson was only 18 when she made this film. There is a look of Kim Catrell about her, and the camera work around her is spellbinding! She has a sensuous and vulnerable face, perfectly suited to the role, but her performance at least equals that of Murray's near-genius. In one of the unused scenes with the robots, her features and her mannerisms are endearing (in the words of Lennon & McCartney, 'Something in the way she moves...')

This is a film which perhaps can be appreciated best by a late forties or fifty-something man who has lost some of his direction or a young woman who is not sure what life holds for her, but knows she has something more to offer than she has unwittingly settled for. But it is by no means limited to that audience. If you admire the craft of acting and appreciate subtlety, if you have 97 minutes to spare by yourself or with a loved one, then do what I did and put this on your next presents list.

Lost In Translation starts off slow, and stays that way. All the way through I was expecting something to happen but unfortunately nothing does, it really is a very dull film. you expect this unlikely couple to have a torrid love affair, or some action of some kind, but you are presented with one disjointed scene after another.
Despite its lofty artistic reviews it sets new standards in tedium, probably the worst film I have ever seen, the only thing missing are subtitles! (Well all the other really bad films I have seen have had sub titles)

wonderfull film all blokes must buy, its a chick flik but one even fellas would watch again. its realy a love story from a very talented but little known director, which skilfuly balences the usual "lovey dovey mush" that guys hate in a movie with dry humor and subtle acting of the great Bill Murry

What happend? How could I have missed the hillarious and funny bits? I swear I did not fall asleep, but I never laughed, not even a little chuckle...

This film was lumbering along, and I suppose it needed to in order to let the audience feel the way one is isolated living in a hotel in a foreign country. You cant understand the news on the TV, cant read the road sings and all the other little bits we normally take for granted. That isolation and alienation is really coming through, but it did not strike any chords of resonance with me. Although I have lived and worked in foreign countries for many years.

So I found this film hugely dissappointing and I can't understand why it is so highly rated by others. So you just have to watch it for yourself and make up your own mind. But reading some of the other reviews, you either love it or hate it, there seems to be no middleground.

This film is just fab! i work nights alot, it reminds me of lack of sleep!well acted with lots of dry humour great cast, amust see film.

An absolubtley excellent movie about two people who make friends in japan, both are lonely and when they meet up, they have the best time but realise they must return to mundane reality. funny and moving, you will want it to end differently!! fantastic.

I thought this film was extremely boring, completely lacking in entertainment.
Storyline is almost non-existent. Only bonus is good acting by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanson.

love(s) >
Ephemeral soundtrack..
check out 'city girl' by kevin shields & 'lost in kyoto' against the imagery of Tokyo (not to mention 'just like honey' by J&MC)

Bill Murray..
the guy is simply marvellous..

Scarlett
the girl is simply marvellous.. (PS there isn't any bad stuff)

What a superb film. One of those films that drifts along with very little happening but is totally compelling viewing.

Brilliant and addictive, Bill Murrays performance seems to be one not of character, but of himself.

A great love story with no physical contact, no obscene language and no cringe moments.

On a par with the greats such as Lawrence of Arabia and the 2001 space oddessy series.
One of the very few worthy oscar winners, not given awards due to political correctness, controversy or because it was time that the director or whomever was awarded a prize.

Watch and enjoy it

This film encapsulates a simple connection between two people better than any other flim I have seen. It cleverly depicts each character's feelings of isolation, and gently yet convincingly shows a bond developing between them.

However it certainly isn't action-packed. Consequently it needs to be taken as a whole: I strongly recommend you don't just watch most of it, or watch it with people who like to talk through films, as it will have virtually no impact this way.

I saw most of this film on TV and found it fascinating, but unfortunately missed the beginning. Rather than rent it, I bought the DVD on eBay (just as cheap, and I have it to keep!). If you want a complex plot with plenty of action, this is not the film for you, but if you're intrigued by contrasts (such as Japan's frantic, ultra-modern lifestyle and its serene, ancient traditions; or the completely different backgrounds of the two main characters; or how a person can be lonely in a city teeming with people), then you will probably enjoy this film. What I particularly liked was how the relationship between Bob Harris (played by Bill Murray), an ageing and fading movie star in Tokyo filming a whisky advert, who's virtually a stranger to his wife and children back home, and Charlotte (Scarlett Johannson) the neglected young wife of a professional photographer, begins and then develops. It's witty, and also very true to life, because something similar (albeit on a much lesser scale) happened to me while away from home at a conference in a strange foreign country. What I particularly liked was the strong but innocent bond that develops between the two characters (no jumping into bed with each other as is so often the norm with many films), and the questions it raised as to whether, if or when they go their separate ways, their respective marriages will not only survive but become stronger. Bill Murray is well cast as the tired celebrity bewildered by the language, culture and pace of life in Japan, and Scarlett Johannson aptly portrays the fresh young girl who is slightly naive, but, just like Bill, is seeking to find some deeper meaning to life. For me this is a film that is clever, witty, poignant, heart-warming... and brilliant!

This is just a stunning film both visually and emotionally, beautifully shot with brilliant performances from the two leads, Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Believe me I am usually pretty suspicious of any film that might be a bit too postmodern, arty or pretentious in tone- I enjoyed 'The Virgin Suicides' by the same director and I got this cheap, aware that it was a gamble as to whether I would hate it or like it. In fact I adore it completely, I feel it transmits a real warmth of feeling despite what some might see as a relative lack of dialogue and slow pace. It's almost mesmorizing in the way it reels you in and is so much more human than the vast majority of movies.

The extras on the DVD are a mixed bunch but make sure you sit through the relatively boring 'making of' documentary- just for the bit when the Japanese guy goes 'I love Scarlett Johansson..she is so sweet- sweet child of mine'. Just me then? Ok, but seriously, watch this film. It's a genuine modern classic.

This critically acclaimed 2003 Oscar winning (Best writing, Sofia Coppola) was definitely worth watching as my respect for Murray continues to grow.

It's a very interesting narrative because it is very simplistic and highly enjoyable. Viewers are taken around the city of Tokyo following the lives of the central protagonists Charlotte and Harris. The characters dive deep into a world of trouble but still manage to have a good time over their misfortunes as Charlotte tries to deal with the pressures of being alone while her husband is away and Harris dealing with his agonising job.

There are an extreme amount of short scenes. Just snap shots of what the characters did as the days of their holidays went through. It's a very interesting technique. It allows the audience to see what they get up to during their darkest and happiest hours, giving the characters more of a personality. The humour is very well used, a lot of jokes aimed towards the residents of Tokyo. There is also a lot of drama and the ending is very interesting to observe.

Murray's facial expressions and his general charisma are certainly worth watching. He plays the part of the upset celebrity so well and viewers will be able to laugh with him and also sympathize with him. His general personality of the character shines through and audiences can appreciate his feelings and understand what he is experiencing.
Johansson also performs tremendously as she copes with growing into a world which is very new to her and thoroughly deserves her Oscar nomination. The chemistry between the two is outstanding as they deal with their own personal issues.

Having the film set in Tokyo was well used as many jokes are aimed towards the residents but also it allows the characters to experience new challenges in their lives.

I watched the film on the strength of the reviews & because I usually like Bill Murray. While I can appreciate that it is Oscar material with very good acting & direction I also have to say it has a very slow pace & subtle humour. In short this is a movie for readers of the Times, not the Sun.

When I write reviews on Amazon, I tend to write lengthy reviews that go in depth and attempt to explain why I think what I think, but if I were to talk about Lost In Translation I could go on until the cows come home. This is not just my single love for this film, but I feel that this is a timeless classic, a line admittedly that is used far too much, but this time I feel justified.

Although some may not like the slow pace of the film, when endured the film is utterly rewarding. At first the ending might have you wondering why it turned out the way it did, but once you think about the film as a whole you think that it couldn't have turned out better. Bill Murray is perfect as the confused and lost out of favour movie star. Seemingly past his best as he is in Tokyo to earn a few million dollars endorsing a whiskey out there, the making of the adverts come up with hilarious results as the East/West divide is depicted perfectly. Some may say distastefully, but as director Sofia Coppolla has spent a lot of her life out there, I get the feeling she knows what is acceptable and what isn't.

Scarlet Johannson is also stunning, not just in her natural look, but also her subtle, nervous but confident role as the much younger girl who is looking for some purpose in her life.

Lost In Translation is subtley funny, beautiful produced with touching acting of the highest order. Not only did this put Bill Murray back in the spot-light, as deserved, but it has formed what could be the finest film of the 2000's. To give the ending away would be to basically ruin the film, but Lost In Translation, put simply, is as a love story as Gone With The Wind.

Very good movie, different from the usual stuff from the US. a film you have to think about while watching, a lovely touching relationship between the two main actors. you are kept guessing what they will do about the connection they have. wonderful performances and directing.

i love the real life peek into Japan.

watch it

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I love this movie. It's clearly the highlight of Bill Murray's career and marks the perfect first real stand-out in Scarlett Johanson's. It's so rare to see a movie that only has an interest in its characters (and only two of them, at that!) and makes them so charming, lovable, and familiar. This is a great example of non-Hollywood Hollywood films: the well-known actors and producers going to the roots of independent film-making. In an age where half the movies out there are packed with CGI, this is refreshing to see.

Love this movie! Great chemistry between Scarlet Johannsen and Bill Murray. Humorous, and Cerebral. A witty comedy drama.

I have been slowly building my dvd collection of my favourite films and have chosen used copies.
This dvd is as new, the dvd plays perfectly. The box and inserts are all in place and in as new condition; the dvd clearly has been very well looked after and it is definitely worth saving a few pounds buying a used copy if you're discerning when buying.
The film itself is just brilliant; beautiful yet understated and skilfully directed by Sophia Coppola. This is one film I could watch over and over and never tire of.

Well, what can I say? I must admit I was not too keen to watch this when it came out in the cinemas, and so decided to wait to rent it first. My mistake! This is just such an amazing film that I probably would have shed a few tears if it were in the cinema.
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson clicked together so beautifully that it was just a pleasure to take in. Set in a free-flowing Tokyo the scenery and pace of the film allow the best of it to come through and grip the audience.
There is the case that the story is not to everyone's tastes as it is very vague, and to find the meaning is slightly challenging - don't let this put you off because you will be missing out on what could be one of your favourite movies from then on.
Showing how two people can find each other in a completely different environment and click so easily, accompanied by a brilliant score by Kevin Shields, makes this one of my favourite movies ever. The last scene in particular is an emotional one, and with it the film finished perfectly.

9/10 ***** 93%

I have to admit it took me 3 viewings before I watched this film all the way through. Once I did I absolutely fell in love with it. I have lost count how many times I have watched it now and it remains one of my favourite movies. A Beautiful film, very funny and moving. One of Bill Murray's finest moments.

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