What a movie !. Review on Lost in Translation Movie

Lost is Translation is different, but it is also nice different, if there is something like that. I felt almost compelled to write a review on the movie after having seen it last light. The main characters are Bob (Bill Murray), a successful Hollywood star and Charlotte (Scarlett Johanasson), a philosophy graduate from Yale University. What they share in common is disenchanted, meaningless drift in life. Coincidentally, Murray is put up in the same hotel in Tokyo as her and this is how they happen to meet each other. While Murray is on an advertising campaign in Tokyo, Johanasson is just tagging along with her photographer husband on one of his high profile assignments.

There are times in our lives when we don’t exactly know what went wrong with it. This is what the movie is all about. Murray has no idea why he feels like he is in the pits, while Johanasson, though she has no reason to be unhappy with her marriage, is not exactly happy. Since both of them have a lot of time to idle around and generally do nothing, they happen to bump into each other at the hotel bar and that is how they take off. Johanasson looks brilliant and her vulnerability complements her role. It has to be one of the most power packed performance Bill Murray has ever delivered. Very funny at times, the drifters discover that both of them are going through the same phase in life. The age gap between the characters is almost the same as my age, but that in now way reduces the vigor in the movie.

Both of them feel immensely for each other and that is clear with every dialogue they deliver. However, much as they would like to break the limitations, they are not looking for anything sexual in their relationship. It is a thoughtfully shown story if two mature adults who need the right beat in their respective lives. I step house of the house sometimes in a horrible mood and thinking about my worthless life, and I happen to meet a friend or see something which strikes a chord, and that is it. Life looks good again.

After their first meeting in the hotel bar, they decide to hang around together. The disconnect with life, coupled with even unfamiliar surroundings of Tokyo suddenly comes alive with discos, karaoke, video arcades and eating out. At last it is time for Murray to leave for home. I think that is the best scene in the movie, when after having bid him goodbye, Johanasson is walking towards the elevator and Murray has to pose for photographs. You know that they are dying to at least give each other a handshake or a hug for gods sake but…..Before saying goodbye; they whisper something to each other that the audience can't hear. The film is as soft and intimate as that whisper.

A very sensitive movie, delicately made which conveys emotions and meanings in a fantastic manner. The silence and expressions are beautiful. Sofia Coppola keeps the family flag flying high and that is great considering this is only her second film. She definitely shows a lot of steel and potential and maturity.

A must watch.