Lost in Translation

[ifelloverboard]

What can I say about this movie that hasn't already been said? As far as Bill Murray goes I definitely liked him in Life Aquatic much more but this film as a whole is on par with Garden State in my book. Scarlett Johansson doesn't have this amazing beauty about her. Well, correction, she is just natural in this film and that's what makes her amazingly beautiful. Like Penelope Cruz in Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Anyway the film lacks some convoluted plot which makes it, like Garden State, boring for anyone that can't relate to it.

I don't know what it is about the film that has me so drawn to it. Maybe it's that I myself desire to meet someone who wants to escape from their life... of course without the whole parting away at the end part but actually escaping together.

I chose this clip for the scenes but also for the music (I'm a bit of a music junkie and love Psychedelic Furs, New Order, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, et al) I'm not sure if the link will even load since it has embedding disabled.

YouTube- Psychedelic Furs - Ghost In You - Lost in Translation

 

[Ashenstar]

I am the only person I know who liked this film. Everyone I know who saw it said it was.... a huge long list of negative adjectives. Useless/boring/pointless/stupid/etc etc.

I still don't know why I liked this movie.

This reminds me, I still haven't seen Garden State.

 

[ifelloverboard]

This reminds me, I still haven't seen Garden State.

Well as far as related plots go, two people trying to find themselves through the other. I won't say anymore though. It's worth a try. Everyone says it's like The Graduate but I've never seen any major correlation between the two films.

 

[Ashenstar]

Hmm
I adore The Graduate.

 

[ifelloverboard]

Hmm
I adore The Graduate.

Well, don't listen to me then listen to all my friends and go pick up Garden State. Can't go wrong with Simon and Garfunkel. They're on the Garden State soundtrack as well.

 

[Tunesimah]

I enjoyed this movie. Although if I remember correctly, Bill Murray's character is a bit of dirty old man... which was a bit off putting. Still good though, I got the feeling of isolation and connection in the film.

I remember family going on and on about this movie, about how pointless it was. While I wouldn't say it's the best movie I've seen, it certainly has a point and explores interesting subject matter cinematically. It's well done.

I liked Life Aquatic more, it was more touching and silly at the same time... which works more towards my sensibilities.

I like a lot of movies Bill Murray is in. Although not in the same vein, my favorite movie of all time is What About Bob? I read more into that film than was ever imagined by the creators...

 

[Beat Mango]

Oh yeah I love this movie. Made me want to go to
Japan. It's so... spontaneous.

How is Bill Murray's character a dirty old man though?! Him and Scarlet have genuine chemistry, what's the matter his age.

 

[bananaphallus]

Oh yeah I love this movie. Made me want to go to
Japan. It's so... spontaneous.

How is Bill Murray's character a dirty old man though?! Him and Scarlet have genuine chemistry, what's the matter his age.

Agreed, I thought there was a glaring lack of sexual tension between SJ and BM, it seemed much more innocent and lighthearted than that.

 

[Tunesimah]

How is Bill Murray's character a dirty old man though?! Him and Scarlet have genuine chemistry, what's the matter his age.

Doesn't he sleep with some random woman? And isn't he growing attachment and sort of cheating on his wife? And in the end basically cheats on two people?

I can't remember, it's been a while since I watched it. I thought it was emotionally subtle and gutwrentching at the same time...

 

[emptiminded]

it is one of those movies that women doesn't understand check IMDB ratings stats.
That's how this movie gets bad reviews..
Great great movie.

 

[ckm]

Interesting, I have seen both Lost in Translation and The Graduate in the last week or so, the former for the third time, the latter for the first. I didn't make any connection between them to be honest, but I can see similarities now I suppose. That said, I think their tones were very different.

I was pretty amazed when I found out that Scarlett Johanssan was 17 when Lost in Translation was filmed. I consider it one of my favourite movies, and I reckon my enjoyment of it is a consequence of relating to it strongly.

 

[ApostateAbe]

I saw it and I thought it was surprisingly boring. It was like looking into someone else's entirely normal and expected life. It takes place in Tokyo, featuring American characters, no Japanese characters, the audience learns basically nothing about Japan, there was no international conflict or drama. Lost in Translation? There was no translation. You didn't need any translation. WTF? The same story could have taken place in New York City and be just as uninteresting.

 

[sardonic-tea]

I agree with ApostateAbe. I didn't enjoy it very much either, which was unfortunate. I didn't care for any of the characters throughout the entire movie. I kind of liked Scarlett Johansson's character, but that's about it. Maybe guys do enjoy this movie more than girls- that's my guess.

 

[snafupants]

Well as far as related plots go, two people trying to find themselves through the other. I won't say anymore though. It's worth a try. Everyone says it's like The Graduate but I've never seen any major correlation between the two films.

superficially, lost in translation is about a middle aged guy who connects with a young girl, and the graduate is about a middle aged women who lands a young guy. just a flip flop. both films toy with idea of pushing sexual boundaries, with LIT its more about filtering that through secret semi-sexual/flirtatious friendships and with the graduate its about a rite of passage (i.e., losing the V-card). anytime you need a slipshod reading of film - as leonard cohen croons - im your man.