Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola, 2003)

THE SCOOP
Director: Sofia Coppola
Plot: A movie star with a sense of emptiness, and a neglected newlywed meet up as strangers in Tokyo, Japan and form an unlikely bond.

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
Awards: Won 1 Oscar - screenplay. Nom. for 3 Oscars - best picture, director, lead actor.
Runtime: 102min
Rating: M18 for some sexual content.

IN RETROSPECT
Sofia Coppola is trying desperately to emulate her father's (Francis Ford Coppola) success. Her third film is no Godfather, but nonetheless, it's considered the best she has done so far. Lost In Translation is the type of film that can have scores ranging from 1/10 to 9/10, depending on individual taste. For me, it's a solidly-directed film, but it could have been a whole lot better.

The emotional range of the film is quite limited. A heartbreaking scene doesn't make you go teary; A funny scene doesn't make you laugh out like a maniac. The construct of the film doesn't allow that to happen, no matter how hard the leading cast tries (Bill Murray, and Scarlett Johansson have wonderful chemistry though). Cinematography of Japan's bustling nightlife is a plus point. The screenplay is not as wonderful as it's claimed to be. I believe it won an Oscar only because the other nominees are weaker.

The point I'm trying to make is that this is not a well-defined film. The production is excellent, letting us experience modern Japan without actually travelling there. But, the scope of the film is rather narrow. Lost In Translation is the kind of film that viewers watch because they want to learn about how people communicate, and not because they want to be sucked in, and be blown away by the experience.

SCORE: 7.5/10
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Last updated: 2010-04-09 07:50:20 by eternality_tan